CVE-2025-50348 identifies a directory traversal vulnerability in the PHPGurukul Pre-School Enrollment System Project V1.0, specifically within the update-class-pic.php script. Directory traversal vulnerabilities occur when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized, allowing an attacker to manipulate file paths and access files and directories outside the intended scope. In this case, the vulnerability enables an attacker to traverse directories on the server hosting the enrollment system by crafting malicious requests to update-class-pic.php. This could allow unauthorized reading of sensitive files, such as configuration files, source code, or other data stored on the server. Since the vulnerability is in a PHP-based web application used for managing pre-school enrollment, it likely runs on typical LAMP stack environments. The absence of a CVSS score and lack of known exploits in the wild suggest this vulnerability is newly disclosed and may not yet be widely exploited. However, the impact depends on the server's configuration and the sensitivity of accessible files. The vulnerability does not specify affected versions, but it is tied to version 1.0 of the PHPGurukul Pre-School Enrollment System. No patches or mitigations are currently linked, indicating that users of this software should prioritize code review and input validation improvements. The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, as directory traversal flaws typically exploit direct HTTP requests. This increases the risk as attackers can attempt exploitation remotely without credentials. Overall, this vulnerability poses a significant risk of unauthorized information disclosure and potential further exploitation if sensitive files are accessed and leveraged for privilege escalation or code execution.

For European organizations using the PHPGurukul Pre-School Enrollment System, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data such as student records, administrative credentials, or system configuration files. This compromises confidentiality and may violate data protection regulations like GDPR, leading to legal and reputational consequences. Additionally, access to configuration files or source code could enable attackers to identify further vulnerabilities or gain elevated privileges, impacting system integrity and availability. Since the affected software is niche and targeted at educational institutions, the impact is concentrated on schools and related administrative bodies. Disruption of enrollment services could affect operational continuity, especially during critical enrollment periods. The lack of known exploits currently reduces immediate risk, but the vulnerability’s nature allows easy remote exploitation without authentication, increasing potential impact if weaponized. European organizations with limited cybersecurity resources or outdated software maintenance practices are particularly vulnerable. Furthermore, educational institutions often hold sensitive personal data, increasing the severity of potential breaches.

1. Immediate code audit and input validation: Review the update-class-pic.php script to ensure all file path inputs are properly sanitized and validated against a whitelist of allowed filenames or directories. 2. Implement strict path normalization: Use server-side functions to canonicalize file paths and reject any input containing directory traversal sequences such as '../'. 3. Restrict file system permissions: Ensure the web server process has minimal permissions, limiting access to only necessary directories and files to reduce the impact of traversal. 4. Monitor and log access attempts: Deploy web application firewalls (WAFs) or intrusion detection systems (IDS) to detect and block suspicious requests attempting directory traversal. 5. Isolate the enrollment system: Run the application in a segmented network environment to limit lateral movement if compromised. 6. Regularly update and patch: Engage with the PHPGurukul project maintainers or community to obtain patches or updates addressing this vulnerability. 7. Educate administrators: Train system administrators on secure coding practices and the importance of validating user inputs. 8. Backup critical data: Maintain regular backups of enrollment data and system configurations to enable recovery in case of compromise.