CVE-2025-14662 is a cross-site scripting vulnerability identified in the Student File Management System version 1.0 developed by code-projects. The flaw exists in the /admin/update_user.php script, which handles user updates in the administrative interface. The vulnerability arises due to insufficient sanitization or encoding of user-supplied input, allowing an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code. This XSS attack can be triggered remotely by an attacker who already has high-level privileges within the system, indicating that authentication is required before exploitation. The attack requires user interaction, such as an administrator clicking a crafted link or submitting manipulated input, to execute the malicious script. The CVSS 4.8 score reflects a medium severity level, considering the network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required for the network vector but high privileges needed overall, and the need for user interaction. The vulnerability primarily threatens the confidentiality and integrity of the system by enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions within the admin panel. No known exploits are currently active in the wild, but the public availability of exploit code increases the risk of future attacks. The absence of patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate mitigation through input validation and access controls. This vulnerability is particularly relevant to educational institutions using this specific Student File Management System, which may store sensitive student data and administrative information.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-14662 on European organizations, especially educational institutions, involves potential compromise of administrative accounts through XSS attacks. Successful exploitation could lead to session hijacking, unauthorized modification of user data, or execution of arbitrary scripts within the admin interface, undermining data confidentiality and integrity. This could result in exposure of sensitive student records, disruption of administrative operations, and reputational damage. Given the requirement for high privileges and user interaction, the attack surface is somewhat limited, but insider threats or compromised admin credentials could facilitate exploitation. The vulnerability could also be leveraged as a foothold for further attacks within the network. European organizations that rely on this Student File Management System without proper input validation or access restrictions are at higher risk. Additionally, compliance with GDPR mandates protection of personal data, and exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to regulatory penalties if data breaches occur.

1. Immediate implementation of strict input validation and output encoding on the /admin/update_user.php page to neutralize malicious scripts. 2. Restrict administrative access to the Student File Management System through network segmentation and VPNs to limit exposure. 3. Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all admin accounts to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 4. Monitor logs for unusual activity related to user updates or admin interface access to detect potential exploitation attempts. 5. Educate administrators about phishing and social engineering risks that could trigger user interaction required for exploitation. 6. Apply security headers such as Content Security Policy (CSP) to mitigate the impact of XSS attacks. 7. Engage with the vendor or community to obtain and apply patches or updates addressing this vulnerability as soon as they become available. 8. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focusing on web application vulnerabilities within the Student File Management System environment.