CVE-2025-15052 identifies a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the code-projects Student Information System version 1.0, specifically within the /profile.php endpoint. The vulnerability arises due to insufficient sanitization or encoding of user-supplied input in the firstname and lastname parameters, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code. This flaw can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, although user interaction is necessary to trigger the payload, such as by convincing a victim to click a crafted link or visit a malicious page. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions by enabling attackers to steal cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, or conduct phishing attacks within the context of the vulnerable application. The CVSS 4.0 score of 5.1 reflects a medium severity, factoring in the ease of remote exploitation but the need for user interaction and limited impact on availability. No patches or official fixes have been published yet, and while no active exploits in the wild are reported, the public availability of exploit code increases the risk of future attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for educational institutions that rely on this Student Information System to manage sensitive student data, as exploitation could lead to unauthorized data access or manipulation.

For European organizations, especially educational institutions using the affected Student Information System, this vulnerability poses a risk to the confidentiality and integrity of student and staff data. Attackers exploiting this XSS flaw could hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information such as personal details or login credentials, and perform unauthorized actions within the system. This could lead to data breaches, reputational damage, and potential regulatory penalties under GDPR due to exposure of personal data. The need for user interaction limits mass exploitation but targeted phishing campaigns could be effective. The vulnerability does not affect system availability directly but could facilitate further attacks that degrade service or compromise other systems. Given the sensitive nature of educational data and the increasing reliance on digital platforms, the impact on European organizations could be significant if left unmitigated.

1. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on the firstname and lastname parameters in /profile.php to ensure that no executable scripts can be injected. 2. Apply proper output encoding (e.g., HTML entity encoding) before rendering user-supplied data in the web interface to prevent script execution. 3. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts within the application context. 4. Conduct user awareness training to educate staff and students about the risks of clicking on suspicious links or opening untrusted content. 5. Monitor web application logs for unusual input patterns or repeated attempts to exploit the vulnerability. 6. If possible, isolate the Student Information System within a segmented network zone to limit lateral movement in case of compromise. 7. Engage with the vendor or community to obtain or develop patches and apply them promptly once available. 8. Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block common XSS attack vectors targeting the affected parameters.