CVE-2025-5373 is a SQL Injection vulnerability identified in version 2.0 of the PHPGurukul Online Birth Certificate System, specifically within the /admin/users-applications.php file. The vulnerability arises due to improper sanitization or validation of the 'userid' parameter, which is susceptible to malicious input manipulation. An attacker can remotely exploit this flaw by injecting crafted SQL statements through the 'userid' argument, potentially allowing unauthorized access to the backend database. This could lead to unauthorized data retrieval, modification, or deletion of sensitive birth certificate records and user information. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and can be exploited without authentication, increasing its risk profile. Although the CVSS 4.0 base score is 5.3 (medium severity), the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability can be significant depending on the database contents and the privileges of the database user. The vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, but no known exploits are currently reported in the wild. The lack of available patches or mitigations from the vendor increases the urgency for organizations to implement compensating controls. Given the nature of the affected system—an online birth certificate management platform—the exposure of personally identifiable information (PII) and critical civil records is a major concern, with potential legal and reputational consequences for affected entities.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be substantial. Many European countries maintain digital civil registry systems that may use similar or derivative software solutions for managing birth certificates and other vital records. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive personal data protected under GDPR, resulting in legal penalties and loss of public trust. Integrity breaches could allow attackers to alter birth records, causing identity fraud or administrative complications. Availability impacts could disrupt essential government services, delaying issuance of certificates and affecting citizens' access to critical documentation. The medium CVSS score may underestimate the real-world impact due to the sensitivity of the data involved. Organizations operating or interfacing with birth certificate systems must consider the risk of data breaches and service disruption, which could have cascading effects on social services, healthcare, and legal processes.

1. Immediate code review and input validation: Organizations should audit the 'userid' parameter handling in /admin/users-applications.php and implement strict input validation and parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection. 2. Web Application Firewall (WAF): Deploy and configure WAF rules to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting the vulnerable endpoint. 3. Access controls: Restrict administrative interface access to trusted IP addresses or VPNs to reduce exposure. 4. Monitoring and logging: Enhance logging of database queries and web requests to detect anomalous activities indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Patch management: Engage with PHPGurukul or community to obtain or develop patches; if unavailable, consider isolating or replacing the vulnerable system. 6. Data encryption and backups: Ensure sensitive data is encrypted at rest and maintain regular backups to enable recovery in case of data tampering. 7. Incident response readiness: Prepare response plans for potential data breaches involving personal records, including notification procedures compliant with GDPR.