CVE-2025-5376 is a SQL Injection vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the SourceCodester Health Center Patient Record Management System, specifically within the /patient.php file. The vulnerability arises due to improper sanitization or validation of the 'itr_no' parameter, which can be manipulated by an attacker to inject malicious SQL code. This flaw allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary SQL queries against the backend database without requiring any user interaction or privileges. The injection can lead to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion, potentially compromising patient records and sensitive health information. The vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of exploitation, although no active exploits have been reported in the wild yet. The CVSS v4.0 base score is 6.9, indicating a medium severity level, reflecting the network attack vector, low attack complexity, and no need for authentication or user interaction. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is limited but present, as the vulnerability allows partial compromise of the database contents. No official patches or mitigations have been published by the vendor at this time.

For European organizations, particularly healthcare providers using the SourceCodester Health Center Patient Record Management System, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to patient data confidentiality and integrity. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive medical records, violating GDPR and other data protection regulations, resulting in legal penalties and reputational damage. Integrity breaches could alter patient data, potentially affecting clinical decisions and patient safety. Availability impact is limited but could occur if attackers execute destructive SQL commands. The public disclosure of the vulnerability increases the likelihood of targeted attacks, especially against healthcare institutions that are high-value targets in Europe. Given the critical nature of healthcare data and strict regulatory environment in Europe, affected organizations face heightened compliance and operational risks.

European healthcare organizations using this system should immediately conduct a thorough security review of their deployment. Specific mitigations include: 1) Implementing input validation and parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection in the 'itr_no' parameter and other inputs. 2) Employing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) configured to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting /patient.php. 3) Monitoring database logs and application logs for suspicious query patterns indicative of injection attempts. 4) Restricting database user privileges to the minimum necessary to limit the impact of any injection. 5) Isolating the affected application server within network segments with strict access controls. 6) Engaging with the vendor or community to obtain or develop patches or updates addressing the vulnerability. 7) Conducting regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on injection flaws. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific vulnerable parameter and the healthcare context.