CVE-2025-14230 identifies an SQL injection vulnerability in the code-projects Daily Time Recording System version 4.5.0. The vulnerability exists in an unspecified function within the /admin/add_payroll.php file, where the detail_Id parameter is improperly sanitized, allowing an attacker to inject malicious SQL code. This injection flaw can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or user interaction, making it accessible to a wide range of attackers. The vulnerability's CVSS 4.0 score is 5.3 (medium), reflecting its moderate impact and ease of exploitation. The attack vector is network-based with low attack complexity and no privileges or user interaction needed. Exploiting this vulnerability could allow attackers to read, modify, or delete sensitive payroll and time tracking data, potentially leading to data breaches, financial fraud, or disruption of payroll operations. Although no active exploits are reported in the wild, the public availability of exploit code increases the likelihood of future attacks. The vulnerability affects only version 4.5.0 of the product, and no official patches have been linked yet. The absence of secure coding practices such as parameterized queries or input validation in the affected function is the root cause. Organizations relying on this system for employee time tracking and payroll processing are at risk of operational disruption and data compromise.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and public sector entities that utilize the Daily Time Recording System for payroll and attendance management. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive employee data, including payroll details, which may violate GDPR regulations and result in legal and financial penalties. Integrity of payroll data could be compromised, leading to incorrect salary payments or fraudulent transactions. Availability of the system could also be affected if attackers manipulate or delete critical data, disrupting business operations. The remote and unauthenticated nature of the exploit increases the risk of widespread attacks, particularly in organizations with exposed or poorly secured administrative interfaces. The medium severity suggests that while the vulnerability is serious, it may not lead to full system compromise but still poses a substantial risk to confidentiality and integrity of sensitive HR data.

To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should immediately restrict access to the /admin/add_payroll.php interface by implementing network-level controls such as IP whitelisting or VPN access to limit exposure. Input validation should be enforced on the detail_Id parameter to ensure only expected data types and values are accepted. Developers should refactor the affected code to use parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection. Until an official patch is released, consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting this parameter. Regularly monitor logs for suspicious activity related to payroll administration endpoints. Conduct a thorough audit of all input handling in the application to identify and remediate similar injection flaws. Finally, maintain an incident response plan to quickly address any exploitation attempts and notify relevant data protection authorities if a breach occurs.