CVE-2025-4191 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability identified in version 1.3 of the PHPGurukul Employee Record Management System, specifically within the /editmyeducation.php file. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization and validation of user-supplied input parameters, notably 'coursepg' and 'yophsc', which are manipulated to inject malicious SQL code. This flaw allows an unauthenticated attacker to remotely execute arbitrary SQL commands against the backend database without requiring any user interaction or privileges. The injection could lead to unauthorized data disclosure, modification, or deletion, potentially compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the employee records stored within the system. Although the vulnerability is confirmed in these parameters, other input vectors may also be vulnerable, increasing the attack surface. The CVSS 4.0 score is 6.9 (medium severity), reflecting the network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges or user interaction needed, but limited impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No known exploits are currently observed in the wild, but public disclosure of the exploit code increases the risk of exploitation. The lack of official patches or mitigation guidance from the vendor further elevates the threat. Given that employee record management systems often contain sensitive personal and organizational data, exploitation could facilitate identity theft, insider threat facilitation, or broader network compromise if leveraged for lateral movement.

For European organizations using PHPGurukul Employee Record Management System 1.3, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to sensitive employee data, including personal identifiers, employment history, and possibly payroll information. Unauthorized access or manipulation of such data could lead to violations of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), resulting in substantial fines and reputational damage. Additionally, exploitation could disrupt HR operations, affecting business continuity. The remote and unauthenticated nature of the attack vector increases the likelihood of exploitation, especially in organizations with internet-facing HR portals. The medium CVSS score suggests moderate impact, but the critical classification and potential for data breach elevate concern. European companies in sectors with strict compliance requirements (e.g., finance, healthcare, government) are particularly vulnerable to regulatory and operational consequences. Furthermore, the absence of patches means organizations must rely on compensating controls, increasing operational overhead and risk exposure.

1. Immediate implementation of Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting the /editmyeducation.php endpoint and related parameters. 2. Conduct a thorough code review and input validation enhancement for all user-supplied parameters, especially 'coursepg' and 'yophsc', employing parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection. 3. Restrict direct internet access to the Employee Record Management System by placing it behind VPNs or internal networks where feasible. 4. Monitor database logs and application logs for anomalous queries or access patterns indicative of injection attempts. 5. Implement strict least privilege database user permissions, ensuring the application account cannot perform destructive operations beyond its scope. 6. Develop and test patches or updates to remediate the vulnerability, prioritizing vendor engagement or community support for fixes. 7. Educate HR and IT staff about the risks and signs of exploitation to enable rapid incident response. 8. Regularly back up employee data securely to enable recovery in case of data tampering or loss.