CVE-2025-4467 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability identified in SourceCodester Online Student Clearance System version 1.0. The vulnerability exists in the /admin/edit-admin.php file, where manipulation of input parameters such as id, txtfullname, txtemail, and cmddesignation can lead to injection of malicious SQL code. This flaw allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the backend database without requiring any user interaction or privileges. The vulnerability arises due to insufficient input validation and improper sanitization of user-supplied data before it is incorporated into SQL queries. Exploiting this vulnerability could enable attackers to read, modify, or delete sensitive data stored in the database, including administrative credentials and student clearance records. Although no public exploit is currently known to be actively used in the wild, the vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of exploitation. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 6.9, reflecting a medium severity rating, with the attack vector being network-based, no authentication or user interaction required, and low complexity. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability to a limited extent due to the partial control over the database and the lack of privilege escalation or system-level access. However, given the critical nature of the data managed by the system, the risk remains significant.

For European organizations, particularly educational institutions and administrative bodies using the SourceCodester Online Student Clearance System, this vulnerability poses a serious risk. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of personal student information, administrative credentials, and clearance statuses, violating data protection regulations such as GDPR. Data integrity could be compromised, resulting in fraudulent clearance records or denial of legitimate student services. Availability of the clearance system could also be disrupted, impacting administrative workflows and student processing. The reputational damage and potential regulatory penalties from data breaches could be substantial. Since the system is used in academic administrative contexts, the impact extends to operational disruption and loss of trust among students and staff. European organizations must consider the legal and compliance implications of such data breaches, especially given the sensitivity of educational records.

To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should immediately apply any available patches or updates from the vendor. In the absence of official patches, administrators should implement input validation and parameterized queries or prepared statements in the /admin/edit-admin.php script to prevent SQL injection. Employing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with SQL injection detection rules can provide a temporary protective layer. Restricting access to the administrative interface by IP whitelisting or VPN-only access can reduce exposure. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar injection flaws. Additionally, monitoring database logs for suspicious queries and implementing database user privilege restrictions can limit the damage if exploitation occurs. Organizations should also ensure backups of critical data are maintained to enable recovery in case of data tampering or loss.