CVE-2025-14940 identifies a SQL injection vulnerability in the code-projects Scholars Tracking System version 1.0, specifically within the /admin/delete_user.php script. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of the 'ID' parameter, which is susceptible to malicious SQL code injection. This flaw allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to manipulate SQL queries executed by the application, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data leakage, data modification, or deletion within the backend database. The vulnerability does not require any user interaction or privileges, making it straightforward to exploit remotely. The CVSS 4.0 score of 6.9 (medium severity) reflects the vulnerability's moderate impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity and no authentication needed. Although no known exploits are currently active in the wild, the public disclosure of the vulnerability increases the risk of exploitation by threat actors. The affected product is primarily used in educational environments to track scholars, meaning sensitive personal and academic data could be exposed or altered. The lack of available patches necessitates immediate mitigation efforts by organizations using this system. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for secure coding practices, such as input validation and use of parameterized queries, to prevent SQL injection attacks.

For European organizations, particularly educational institutions and administrative bodies using the Scholars Tracking System, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive student and scholar data. Exploitation could result in unauthorized data disclosure, data tampering, or deletion, potentially disrupting academic operations and damaging institutional reputation. The availability of the system could also be affected if attackers manipulate or delete critical records. Given the remote and unauthenticated nature of the attack vector, threat actors could exploit this vulnerability at scale, targeting multiple institutions. This could lead to regulatory compliance issues under GDPR due to personal data breaches, resulting in legal and financial consequences. The medium severity rating suggests that while the impact is serious, it may not lead to complete system takeover, but the potential for data compromise and operational disruption remains substantial.

Organizations should immediately audit their deployment of the code-projects Scholars Tracking System version 1.0 to identify vulnerable instances. Since no official patches are currently available, the primary mitigation is to implement input validation and sanitization on the 'ID' parameter in /admin/delete_user.php. Refactoring the code to use parameterized queries or prepared statements is critical to prevent SQL injection. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls (WAFs) should be configured to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting this endpoint. Access to the /admin/delete_user.php script should be restricted to trusted IP addresses or VPN users where possible. Regular monitoring of logs for suspicious SQL query patterns or anomalous activity is recommended. Organizations should also prepare incident response plans for potential data breaches and consider isolating the affected system until a secure version or patch is available. Engaging with the vendor or community for updates or patches is advised. Finally, educating developers and administrators on secure coding and input handling practices will help prevent similar vulnerabilities.