CVE-2025-5553 is a SQL Injection vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the PHPGurukul Rail Pass Management System, specifically within the /download-pass.php file. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization or validation of the 'searchdata' 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. Exploitation does not require any user interaction or privileges, making it accessible over the network without authentication. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 6.9, indicating a medium severity level, with attack vector network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and limited impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (VC:L, VI:L, VA:L). Although no public exploits are currently known in the wild, the vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of exploitation by threat actors. The vulnerability could allow attackers to extract sensitive data, modify or delete records, or disrupt service availability depending on the underlying database and application logic. The absence of a patch or mitigation guidance from the vendor increases the urgency for organizations to implement compensating controls.

For European organizations using the PHPGurukul Rail Pass Management System 1.0, this vulnerability poses significant risks. Rail pass management systems handle sensitive traveler information, including personal identification and travel details, which are subject to strict data protection regulations such as GDPR. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized data disclosure, violating privacy laws and resulting in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Additionally, attackers could alter or delete pass data, disrupting rail service operations and causing financial and operational impacts. The remote and unauthenticated nature of the attack vector increases the likelihood of exploitation, especially in environments where the system is exposed to the internet or poorly segmented networks. Given the critical infrastructure role of rail transport in Europe, successful exploitation could have cascading effects on transportation logistics and public safety.

Since no official patch or vendor guidance is currently available, European organizations should implement immediate compensating controls. These include: 1) Applying web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns targeting the 'searchdata' parameter; 2) Restricting network access to the Rail Pass Management System to trusted internal networks only, using VPNs or IP whitelisting; 3) Conducting thorough input validation and sanitization at the application layer if source code access is available, focusing on parameterized queries or prepared statements to eliminate injection vectors; 4) Monitoring database logs and application logs for anomalous queries or access patterns indicative of injection attempts; 5) Implementing strict database user permissions to limit the impact of any successful injection; 6) Planning and prioritizing an upgrade or patch deployment once the vendor releases a fix; and 7) Conducting security awareness training for administrators to recognize and respond to potential exploitation attempts.