CVE-2025-5724 is a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the SourceCodester Student Result Management System, specifically within the /script/academic/subjects component on the Subjects Page. The vulnerability arises due to insufficient input validation or sanitization of the 'Subject' parameter, which can be manipulated by an attacker to inject malicious scripts. This flaw allows an attacker to craft a specially crafted URL or input that, when processed by the vulnerable system, executes arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of the victim's browser. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without requiring authentication, but user interaction is necessary to trigger the malicious payload, such as by visiting a malicious link. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 4.8 (medium severity), reflecting the attack vector as network-based with low attack complexity, no privileges required, but user interaction needed. The impact primarily affects confidentiality and integrity to a limited extent, with no direct impact on availability. Although no known exploits are currently observed in the wild, the public disclosure of the vulnerability increases the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability could be leveraged for session hijacking, credential theft, or delivering further malware via the victim's browser. Since the affected product is a student result management system, exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive academic data or manipulation of displayed results, undermining trust and data integrity within educational institutions.

For European organizations, particularly educational institutions using the SourceCodester Student Result Management System version 1.0, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized data exposure and manipulation. Attackers could exploit the XSS flaw to steal session cookies or credentials of administrative or student users, potentially gaining unauthorized access to academic records or personal information. This could lead to privacy violations under GDPR regulations, reputational damage, and operational disruptions. Additionally, the injection of malicious scripts could be used to deliver further malware or phishing attacks targeting staff and students. The medium severity score indicates that while the vulnerability is not critical, it still represents a meaningful risk, especially in environments with limited security controls or where users are prone to social engineering. The remote exploitability without authentication increases the attack surface, making it easier for threat actors to target multiple institutions across Europe. The lack of patches or mitigations currently available exacerbates the risk for organizations that have not implemented compensating controls.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should first verify if they are running SourceCodester Student Result Management System version 1.0 and assess exposure of the /script/academic/subjects endpoint. Immediate steps include implementing web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious input patterns targeting the 'Subject' parameter. Input validation and output encoding should be enforced at the application level to sanitize user-supplied data, preventing script injection. Organizations should also educate users about the risks of clicking on untrusted links and implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts. Monitoring web server logs for unusual requests targeting the vulnerable endpoint can help detect exploitation attempts. If possible, isolating the affected system from public internet access or restricting access to trusted IP ranges can reduce exposure. Finally, organizations should engage with the vendor or community to obtain patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and plan for timely deployment once available.