CVE-2025-5208 is a SQL Injection vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the SourceCodester Online Hospital Management System, specifically within the /admin/check_availability.php file. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization or validation of the 'emailid' parameter, which an attacker can manipulate to inject malicious SQL code. This injection flaw allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary SQL queries against the backend database. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates that the attack requires no privileges, no user interaction, and can be performed remotely over the network, making exploitation relatively straightforward. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is limited but present (low impact on each), resulting in an overall CVSS score of 6.9, categorized as medium severity. Although no known exploits are currently observed in the wild, the public disclosure of the vulnerability increases the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability could allow attackers to extract sensitive patient data, modify records, or disrupt hospital management operations by manipulating database queries. Given the critical nature of healthcare data and the reliance on hospital management systems for patient care, this vulnerability poses a significant risk if left unpatched.

For European organizations, particularly healthcare providers using the SourceCodester Online Hospital Management System version 1.0, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive patient information, including personal health data protected under GDPR. Exploitation could result in data breaches, loss of data integrity, and potential disruption of hospital operations, impacting patient care and trust. The exposure of confidential medical records could lead to regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Additionally, attackers could alter appointment availability or other critical scheduling data, causing operational inefficiencies. Since the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, it increases the attack surface, especially for hospitals with externally accessible administration portals. The medium severity rating suggests a significant but not catastrophic impact, emphasizing the need for timely remediation to prevent escalation or chaining with other vulnerabilities.

1. Immediate application of patches or updates from the vendor once available is the primary mitigation step. Since no patch links are currently provided, organizations should monitor SourceCodester's official channels for updates. 2. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting the 'emailid' parameter, including pattern matching for typical injection payloads. 3. Conduct a thorough code review and sanitize all user inputs, especially parameters used in SQL queries, employing parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent injection. 4. Restrict access to the /admin/check_availability.php endpoint to trusted internal networks or VPN users to reduce exposure. 5. Monitor database logs and application logs for unusual query patterns or access attempts indicative of exploitation attempts. 6. Perform regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on injection vulnerabilities. 7. Educate IT and security teams about the vulnerability and ensure incident response plans are updated to handle potential exploitation scenarios.