CVE-2025-4888 is a buffer overflow vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the code-projects Pharmacy Management System, specifically within the function medicineType::take_order of the Add Order Details component. This vulnerability arises when local users manipulate input data to overflow a buffer, potentially leading to memory corruption. Buffer overflows can allow attackers to overwrite adjacent memory, which may result in arbitrary code execution, application crashes, or data corruption. However, exploitation requires local access with at least low privileges (PR:L) and does not require user interaction (UI:N). The vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, but no known exploits are currently observed in the wild. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 4.8, indicating a medium severity level, reflecting the limited attack vector (local) and the need for some privileges to exploit. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability to a limited extent due to the local nature and partial impact on these security properties. The lack of a patch link suggests that a fix may not yet be available, increasing the urgency for mitigation by other means.

For European organizations, especially those in the healthcare sector using the affected Pharmacy Management System version 1.0, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk. Successful exploitation could allow an insider or a local attacker with limited privileges to compromise the system’s stability or potentially execute arbitrary code, which could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive patient medication data or disruption of pharmacy operations. This could result in data integrity issues, impacting patient safety and regulatory compliance under GDPR and healthcare-specific regulations. The local attack vector limits the risk from external attackers but increases the importance of internal security controls and endpoint protection. Disruption or data manipulation in pharmacy management systems can have cascading effects on healthcare delivery and trust. Given the critical nature of healthcare data and operational continuity, even a medium severity vulnerability warrants prompt attention.

1. Restrict local access strictly to trusted and authenticated personnel only, implementing strong access controls and monitoring for unusual local activity. 2. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts locally. 3. Conduct thorough input validation and sanitization at the application level to prevent buffer overflow conditions, if source code access or vendor collaboration is possible. 4. Isolate the Pharmacy Management System on segmented networks to limit lateral movement in case of compromise. 5. Regularly audit and update user privileges to ensure least privilege principles are enforced. 6. Monitor system logs for anomalies related to the Add Order Details component and medicineType::take_order function. 7. Engage with the vendor or community to obtain patches or updates as soon as they become available. 8. Educate local users on the risks of executing untrusted code or commands on systems running the vulnerable software.