CVE-2025-4480 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the code-projects Simple College Management System, specifically within the 'Add New Student' component. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of input parameters 'name' and 'branch', which can be manipulated to overflow the stack buffer. This type of vulnerability can lead to memory corruption, potentially allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code, crash the application, or cause denial of service. The attack vector is local host access with low privileges required, and no user interaction is necessary. The CVSS 4.0 score is 4.8 (medium severity), reflecting the limited attack vector (local) and the requirement of low privileges. Although the vulnerability is critical in nature due to the buffer overflow, the practical exploitation is constrained by the need for local access and low privileges. No public exploits are currently known in the wild, and no patches have been published yet. The vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, which increases the risk of exploitation once exploit code becomes available.

For European organizations, especially educational institutions using the Simple College Management System version 1.0, this vulnerability poses a risk of local privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution on affected systems. While the attack requires local access, insider threats or compromised internal systems could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized control or disrupt operations. The impact includes potential data corruption or loss, unauthorized modification of student records, and disruption of college management services. Given the sensitive nature of educational data and compliance requirements such as GDPR, exploitation could lead to data breaches and regulatory penalties. The limited attack vector reduces the risk from external attackers but does not eliminate risks from malicious insiders or attackers who have gained initial foothold within the network.

Organizations should immediately audit their deployment of the Simple College Management System to identify any instances of version 1.0 in use. Until an official patch is released, mitigation should focus on restricting local access to trusted personnel only and implementing strict access controls on systems running the software. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Regularly monitor logs for suspicious activity related to the 'Add New Student' functionality. Consider isolating affected systems within segmented network zones to minimize lateral movement. Additionally, organizations should engage with the vendor or community to obtain patches or updates as soon as they become available. If feasible, migrating to alternative college management systems with active security support may be prudent. Finally, conduct user training to raise awareness about insider threats and enforce strong internal security policies.