CVE-2025-3243 is a SQL Injection vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the code-projects Patient Record Management System, specifically within the /dental_form.php file. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization or validation of the input parameters 'itr_no' or 'dental_no', which are used in SQL queries. An attacker can manipulate these parameters remotely without requiring authentication or user interaction, injecting malicious SQL code that could alter the intended database queries. This can lead to unauthorized access, data leakage, or modification of sensitive patient records stored within the system's database. The vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, though there are no confirmed reports of exploitation in the wild at this time. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 5.3 (medium severity), reflecting the network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges or user interaction required, but limited impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability affects a critical healthcare application managing patient records, which are highly sensitive and regulated data. The lack of available patches or mitigations from the vendor increases the risk for organizations still running this version. Given the nature of SQL injection, successful exploitation could allow attackers to extract or modify patient data, potentially violating privacy laws and impacting patient care.

For European organizations, especially healthcare providers using the code-projects Patient Record Management System version 1.0, this vulnerability poses significant risks. Patient records contain personally identifiable information (PII) and health data protected under GDPR and other regulations. Exploitation could lead to data breaches, resulting in legal penalties, reputational damage, and loss of patient trust. Additionally, unauthorized modification of patient records could disrupt clinical workflows and patient safety. The remote and unauthenticated nature of the attack vector increases the likelihood of exploitation if systems remain unpatched. Healthcare institutions in Europe are prime targets for cyberattacks due to the value of health data and the critical nature of their services. The medium CVSS score may underestimate the real-world impact given the sensitivity of the data involved. Furthermore, the absence of known active exploits currently does not preclude future attacks, especially as exploit code is publicly available.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting external access to the vulnerable /dental_form.php endpoint via network controls such as firewalls or VPNs to limit exposure. 2. Implement Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns targeting the 'itr_no' and 'dental_no' parameters. 3. Conduct a thorough code review and apply input validation and parameterized queries or prepared statements to sanitize inputs properly. 4. If vendor patches or updates become available, prioritize their deployment. 5. Monitor logs for suspicious database query patterns or unusual access to the dental_form.php page. 6. Perform regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on SQL injection vectors. 7. Educate IT and security teams about this specific vulnerability and ensure incident response plans include scenarios involving patient data compromise. 8. Consider migrating to a more secure and actively maintained patient record management system if remediation is not feasible. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on network-level controls, application-layer defenses, and organizational readiness specific to this vulnerability and healthcare context.