CVE-2025-4059 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the code-projects Prison Management System, specifically within the addrecord function of the Prison_Mgmt_Sys component. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of the 'filename' argument, which allows an attacker to overflow the stack buffer by supplying a crafted input. This overflow can potentially overwrite adjacent memory on the stack, leading to undefined behavior such as application crashes or arbitrary code execution. However, exploitation requires local access with at least low privileges (PR:L), meaning an attacker must have some level of authenticated access to the system to trigger the vulnerability. No user interaction is needed once local access is obtained. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 4.8 (medium severity), reflecting limited impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability due to the requirement for local privileges and the lack of known exploits in the wild. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has low complexity for an attacker with local privileges. No patches or mitigations have been publicly disclosed yet, and the exploit code has been made public, increasing the risk of exploitation by insiders or attackers who have gained local access. The vulnerability affects only version 1.0 of the product, which is a specialized management system used in correctional facilities to manage prisoner records and related administrative tasks.

For European organizations, particularly correctional institutions and government agencies using the affected Prison Management System 1.0, this vulnerability poses a risk of local privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker with local access to manipulate prisoner records, disrupt system availability, or potentially gain further control over the system. This could lead to data integrity issues, unauthorized data modification, or denial of service, impacting operational continuity and security of sensitive correctional data. Given the critical nature of prison management systems in maintaining security and order, any compromise could have serious operational and reputational consequences. However, the requirement for local access limits the threat primarily to insiders or attackers who have already breached perimeter defenses. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but the public disclosure of exploit details increases the likelihood of future attacks. Organizations relying on this software should consider the potential for insider threats and ensure strict access controls and monitoring are in place.

1. Immediate mitigation should focus on restricting local access to the Prison Management System servers and workstations, ensuring only authorized personnel have login privileges. 2. Implement strict user account management and privilege separation to minimize the number of users with local access and limit their permissions. 3. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block abnormal behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 4. Conduct regular audits and monitoring of system logs to detect unusual activity or attempts to exploit the vulnerability. 5. If possible, isolate the Prison Management System environment from general-purpose networks to reduce the attack surface. 6. Engage with the vendor or community to obtain patches or updates; if none are available, consider applying compiler-level protections such as stack canaries or address space layout randomization (ASLR) at the OS level to mitigate exploitation. 7. Train staff on insider threat awareness and enforce policies to prevent unauthorized local access. 8. As a longer-term solution, plan for an upgrade or replacement of the vulnerable software version with a patched or more secure alternative.