CVE-2025-5370 is a SQL Injection vulnerability identified in PHPGurukul News Portal version 4.1, specifically within the /admin/forgot-password.php file. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization or validation of the 'Username' parameter, which is directly used in SQL queries. This flaw allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to inject malicious SQL code, potentially manipulating the backend database. The injection can lead to unauthorized data access, data modification, or even complete compromise of the database server. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely without any authentication or user interaction, increasing its risk profile. Although the CVSS 4.0 score is 6.9 (medium severity), the potential impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is significant due to the nature of SQL injection attacks. The vulnerability does not require privileges or user interaction, making exploitation straightforward if the system is exposed. No official patches or mitigations have been published at the time of disclosure, and no known exploits are currently observed in the wild. However, public disclosure of the exploit details increases the risk of exploitation by threat actors.

For European organizations using PHPGurukul News Portal 4.1, this vulnerability poses a critical risk to the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data stored in the backend database. Attackers could extract user credentials, personal data, or administrative information, leading to data breaches and regulatory non-compliance under GDPR. Additionally, attackers might alter or delete content, disrupting news dissemination and damaging organizational reputation. The availability of the portal could also be affected if attackers execute destructive queries. Given the remote and unauthenticated nature of the attack, any exposed administrative interface increases the attack surface. Organizations relying on this software for public-facing news or internal communications could face operational disruptions and legal consequences. The lack of patches necessitates immediate mitigation to prevent exploitation.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting access to the /admin/forgot-password.php endpoint via network controls such as IP whitelisting or VPN-only access to limit exposure. 2. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns targeting the 'Username' parameter. 3. Conduct a thorough code review and apply proper input validation and parameterized queries or prepared statements to eliminate SQL injection vectors. 4. If possible, upgrade to a newer, patched version of PHPGurukul News Portal once available or apply vendor-provided patches promptly. 5. Monitor logs for suspicious activities related to the vulnerable endpoint and perform regular security assessments. 6. Educate administrators about the risk and enforce strong authentication and authorization controls to minimize potential damage from compromised accounts. 7. Consider isolating the affected application in a segmented network zone to reduce lateral movement risk.