CVE-2025-5656 is a SQL Injection vulnerability identified in version 2.0 of the PHPGurukul Complaint Management System, specifically within the /admin/edit-category.php file. The vulnerability arises due to improper sanitization or validation of the 'description' parameter, which can be manipulated by an attacker to inject malicious SQL code. This injection flaw allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the backend database without requiring user interaction or elevated privileges. The vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of exploitation, although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 5.3 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based, requires low attack complexity, no privileges, and no user interaction, but the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is limited or partial. The vulnerability affects only version 2.0 of the product, and no official patches or mitigations have been published yet. Given the nature of SQL injection, successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized data access, data modification, or potentially database compromise depending on the backend configuration and privileges of the database user. The vulnerability is critical in terms of potential impact but rated medium due to limited scope and partial impact as per CVSS assessment.

For European organizations using PHPGurukul Complaint Management System 2.0, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of complaint data, which may include sensitive personal or organizational information. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized data disclosure, data tampering, or disruption of complaint management processes, potentially affecting customer trust and regulatory compliance, especially under GDPR. The remote and unauthenticated nature of the attack increases the threat landscape, as attackers can exploit the vulnerability without insider access or user interaction. Organizations relying on this system for critical complaint handling may face operational disruptions and reputational damage. Additionally, if the backend database contains other integrated sensitive data, the impact could extend beyond the complaint system itself. Given the lack of patches, organizations must act swiftly to mitigate risks. The medium CVSS score suggests that while the vulnerability is serious, it may not lead to full system compromise in all cases, but the potential for data leakage or partial system control remains.

Since no official patches are currently available, European organizations should implement immediate compensating controls. These include: 1) Applying Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules specifically targeting SQL injection patterns on the /admin/edit-category.php endpoint and the 'description' parameter to block malicious payloads. 2) Restricting network access to the administrative interface to trusted IP addresses or VPN-only access to reduce exposure. 3) Conducting thorough input validation and sanitization on the 'description' parameter at the application level, if source code access and modification are possible. 4) Monitoring database logs and application logs for suspicious queries or anomalies indicative of SQL injection attempts. 5) Preparing for rapid patch deployment once an official fix is released by PHPGurukul. 6) Considering temporary disabling or limiting the use of the affected functionality if feasible. 7) Educating administrators about the vulnerability and signs of exploitation to enhance detection and response capabilities.