CVE-2025-50349 identifies a directory traversal vulnerability in the PHPGurukul Pre-School Enrollment System Project version 1.0, specifically within the update-teacher-pic.php script. Directory traversal vulnerabilities occur when an application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input that is used to access files or directories. In this case, the vulnerability allows an attacker to manipulate file path parameters to traverse outside the intended directory structure. This can enable unauthorized reading or potentially writing of files on the server's filesystem. The affected component, update-teacher-pic.php, is likely responsible for handling teacher profile picture uploads or updates. Improper validation of the file path or filename parameters can be exploited to access sensitive files such as configuration files, credentials, or other critical data stored on the server. Although no specific affected versions beyond 1.0 are listed, the vulnerability is published and reserved as of June 2025. There are no known public exploits in the wild at this time, and no patches or mitigations have been officially released. The absence of a CVSS score suggests the vulnerability has not yet been fully assessed for severity. However, directory traversal vulnerabilities generally pose significant risks due to their potential to compromise confidentiality and integrity of server data. The lack of authentication or user interaction requirements is not explicitly stated, but given the nature of the affected script (likely accessible to authenticated users or administrators), exploitation may require some level of access or interaction with the enrollment system. The vulnerability affects a niche educational management system, which may limit its exposure but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where this software is deployed without adequate security controls.

For European organizations, particularly educational institutions or entities using the PHPGurukul Pre-School Enrollment System, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information such as personal data of students, teachers, or administrative credentials. This would have serious implications under the GDPR framework, potentially resulting in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Additionally, if exploited, attackers could manipulate or replace files, impacting the integrity and availability of the enrollment system. This could disrupt administrative operations, delay enrollment processes, and erode trust in the institution's IT infrastructure. The impact is heightened in organizations with limited cybersecurity resources or where the software is deployed in critical environments without segmentation or monitoring. Given the educational sector's increasing reliance on digital systems, exploitation could also serve as a foothold for broader network compromise or lateral movement within an organization's IT environment.

Organizations should immediately audit their deployment of the PHPGurukul Pre-School Enrollment System to determine if version 1.0 or vulnerable instances are in use. Until an official patch is released, practical mitigations include implementing strict input validation and sanitization on all file path parameters within update-teacher-pic.php to prevent directory traversal sequences such as '../'. Employing web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block directory traversal attempts can provide an additional layer of defense. Restrict file system permissions so that the web server process has the minimum necessary access rights, preventing access to sensitive directories outside the intended upload folder. Monitoring and logging access to the affected script and related file system activities can help detect exploitation attempts early. If feasible, isolate the enrollment system on a segmented network to limit potential lateral movement. Finally, organizations should establish a process to promptly apply security updates once patches become available and consider alternative enrollment systems with stronger security postures if remediation is delayed.