CVE-2025-5230 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the PHPGurukul Online Nurse Hiring System. The vulnerability exists in the /admin/bwdates-report-details.php file, specifically through the manipulation of the 'fromdate' and 'todate' parameters. These parameters are used in SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization, allowing an attacker to inject malicious SQL code remotely without authentication or user interaction. Exploiting this flaw can lead to unauthorized access to the backend database, enabling attackers to read, modify, or delete sensitive data such as user credentials, personal information of nurses and employers, and hiring records. Although the CVSS 4.0 score is 6.9 (medium severity), the vulnerability's characteristics—remote exploitability, no authentication required, and potential for data compromise—make it a significant threat. The vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of exploitation, although no known exploits in the wild have been reported yet. The lack of available patches or mitigations from the vendor further exacerbates the risk. This vulnerability highlights the critical need for secure coding practices, especially input validation and prepared statements, in web applications handling sensitive healthcare staffing data.

For European organizations, particularly those involved in healthcare staffing, recruitment, or human resources management, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of personal and sensitive data protected under GDPR, resulting in legal penalties and reputational damage. The integrity of hiring records and nurse credentials could be compromised, potentially allowing fraudulent activities or unauthorized access to healthcare facilities. Availability of the system could also be affected if attackers execute destructive SQL commands. Given the healthcare sector's critical nature and strict regulatory environment in Europe, such a breach could disrupt operations and erode trust among patients and partners. Moreover, the remote and unauthenticated nature of the exploit increases the attack surface, making it easier for threat actors to target vulnerable installations across multiple European countries without needing insider access.

Organizations using PHPGurukul Online Nurse Hiring System 1.0 should immediately audit their installations for exposure to the vulnerable endpoints, specifically the /admin/bwdates-report-details.php page. Since no official patch is currently available, administrators should implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns targeting 'fromdate' and 'todate' parameters. Input validation should be enforced at the application level, rejecting or sanitizing unexpected input formats. If possible, isolate the affected application within a segmented network zone with restricted access. Regular database backups should be maintained to enable recovery in case of data tampering. Monitoring and logging of database queries and application logs should be enhanced to detect suspicious activity. Organizations should also consider migrating to updated or alternative nurse hiring systems that follow secure coding standards. Finally, raising awareness among IT and security teams about this vulnerability and its exploitation methods will improve incident response readiness.