CVE-2025-4912 is a path traversal vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the SourceCodester Student Result Management System, specifically within the /admin/core/update_student.php file's Image File Handler component. The vulnerability arises from improper validation or sanitization of the 'old_photo' parameter, which an attacker can manipulate to traverse directories on the server's filesystem. This allows unauthorized access to files outside the intended directory scope. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring user interaction or authentication, increasing its risk profile. The CVSS 4.0 score is 5.3 (medium severity), reflecting the vulnerability's moderate impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity and no privileges or user interaction needed. Although no public exploits are currently known in the wild, the disclosure of the exploit code increases the likelihood of exploitation. Path traversal vulnerabilities can lead to sensitive information disclosure, unauthorized file access, and potentially facilitate further attacks such as code execution if critical files are accessed or overwritten. The affected system is a student result management platform, likely used by educational institutions to manage student data and academic records.

For European organizations, particularly educational institutions using the SourceCodester Student Result Management System 1.0, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized access to sensitive student data, including personal information and academic records. Exposure of such data can lead to privacy violations under GDPR, resulting in legal and financial repercussions. Additionally, attackers could leverage this vulnerability to access configuration files or credentials stored on the server, potentially escalating privileges or compromising the entire system. The impact extends beyond data confidentiality to integrity, as unauthorized file modifications could alter student records, undermining trust in academic evaluations. Availability impact is limited but possible if attackers manipulate files critical to system operation. Given the remote and unauthenticated nature of the exploit, the threat is significant for institutions lacking robust perimeter defenses or those that have not applied patches or mitigations.

To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should first verify if they are using SourceCodester Student Result Management System version 1.0 and plan an immediate upgrade to a patched version once available. In the absence of an official patch, implement input validation and sanitization on the 'old_photo' parameter to restrict directory traversal characters such as '../'. Employ whitelisting techniques to allow only expected file names or extensions. Restrict file system permissions for the web application user to limit access to only necessary directories, preventing unauthorized file reads or writes outside the application scope. Deploy web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block path traversal attempts. Regularly audit logs for suspicious access patterns targeting the vulnerable endpoint. Additionally, isolate the application environment using containerization or sandboxing to minimize the impact of potential exploitation. Finally, educate administrators and developers about secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future releases.