CVE-2025-14621 is a SQL injection vulnerability identified in the Student File Management System version 1.0 developed by code-projects. The flaw exists in the /admin/update_user.php endpoint, where the user_id parameter is not properly sanitized or validated before being incorporated into SQL queries. This lack of input validation allows remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code, potentially leading to unauthorized data retrieval, modification, or deletion within the underlying database. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without requiring authentication or user interaction, making it highly accessible to attackers. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 6.9 (medium severity), reflecting the network attack vector, low complexity, and no privileges or user interaction needed. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is low to medium, as the exploit can leak or alter data but does not inherently cause full system compromise or denial of service. Although no active exploits have been reported in the wild, a public exploit is available, increasing the likelihood of future attacks. The vulnerability affects only version 1.0 of the product, and no official patches have been published yet. The Student File Management System is typically used by educational institutions to manage student records, making the data sensitive and critical for privacy compliance. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could access personal student information or disrupt administrative operations.

For European organizations, particularly educational institutions using the affected Student File Management System, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of student data. Unauthorized SQL injection attacks could lead to exposure of personal identifiable information (PII), violating GDPR and other data protection regulations, resulting in legal and financial repercussions. Integrity of student records could be compromised, affecting academic operations and trust. Availability impact is moderate, as attackers might alter or delete data, causing operational disruptions. The remote and unauthenticated nature of the exploit increases the attack surface, especially for institutions with internet-facing admin portals. The presence of a public exploit further elevates the risk of exploitation by opportunistic attackers or cybercriminal groups targeting educational data. This could also lead to reputational damage and loss of stakeholder confidence. Organizations may face challenges in incident response and recovery if backups or logging are insufficient.

1. Immediately restrict access to the /admin/update_user.php endpoint to trusted internal networks or VPNs to reduce exposure. 2. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on the user_id parameter, ensuring only expected numeric or alphanumeric values are accepted. 3. Refactor database queries to use parameterized statements or prepared queries to eliminate direct injection risks. 4. Conduct a comprehensive code review of the entire application to identify and remediate similar injection flaws. 5. Monitor web server and database logs for suspicious query patterns indicative of SQL injection attempts. 6. Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting SQL injection signatures as an interim protective measure. 7. Develop and apply patches as soon as they become available from the vendor or consider upgrading to a secure version if released. 8. Educate system administrators and developers on secure coding practices and the importance of input validation. 9. Regularly back up critical data and verify backup integrity to enable recovery in case of data tampering. 10. Perform penetration testing and vulnerability scanning to verify mitigation effectiveness.