CVE-2025-3971 is a SQL Injection vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the PHPGurukul COVID19 Testing Management System, specifically within the /add-phlebotomist.php file. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization or validation of the 'empid' parameter, which is susceptible to malicious input manipulation. An attacker can exploit this flaw remotely without requiring any authentication or user interaction, by crafting specially designed input to the 'empid' argument. Successful exploitation could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the backend database, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data modification, or deletion. The vulnerability has a CVSS 4.0 base score of 6.9, categorized as medium severity, reflecting the ease of exploitation (network accessible, no privileges or user interaction required) but limited impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (each rated low). No known exploits are currently observed in the wild, and no official patches have been published yet. The affected product is a specialized COVID19 Testing Management System used for managing phlebotomist data and possibly other testing-related workflows, indicating that the backend database likely contains sensitive health-related information and personnel records. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation increases the risk profile, as attackers can remotely target vulnerable installations without prior access. The vulnerability does not appear to affect the system's scope beyond the specific parameter and file, but the critical nature of health data involved elevates the importance of timely mitigation.

For European organizations, the exploitation of this SQL Injection vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure or manipulation of sensitive health data related to COVID19 testing and personnel management. This could result in breaches of GDPR and other data protection regulations, leading to legal penalties and reputational damage. The integrity of testing data could be compromised, potentially affecting public health responses and trust in healthcare providers. Availability impact is limited but could occur if attackers execute destructive SQL commands. Organizations relying on PHPGurukul's COVID19 Testing Management System, especially healthcare providers, laboratories, and public health authorities, face increased risk of data breaches and operational disruption. Given the critical nature of health data, even medium-severity vulnerabilities warrant prompt attention. The remote, unauthenticated nature of the exploit increases the attack surface, especially for internet-facing systems. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk, but public disclosure means attackers may develop exploits rapidly.

Implement immediate input validation and sanitization on the 'empid' parameter in /add-phlebotomist.php to prevent SQL injection, using parameterized queries or prepared statements. If possible, restrict network access to the COVID19 Testing Management System to trusted internal networks or VPNs to reduce exposure to remote attacks. Conduct a thorough code review of the entire application to identify and remediate other potential injection points or insecure coding practices. Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting the vulnerable parameter. Monitor application logs for unusual or suspicious database query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Engage with PHPGurukul or relevant vendors to obtain patches or updated versions addressing this vulnerability as soon as they become available. Ensure regular backups of the database are maintained and tested to enable recovery in case of data tampering or loss. Train development and security teams on secure coding practices, emphasizing the importance of input validation and least privilege principles. Review and tighten database user permissions to limit the impact of any successful SQL injection attack.