CVE-2025-5979 is a SQL Injection vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the code-projects School Fees Payment System, specifically within the /branch.php file. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization or validation of the 'ID' parameter, which an attacker can manipulate to inject malicious SQL code. This injection flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the backend database without requiring authentication or user interaction. The vulnerability is classified as critical in nature due to its potential to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system's data. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 6.9 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires no privileges (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and has low impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (VC:L, VI:L, VA:L). However, the exploit has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of exploitation. The lack of patches or mitigations currently available exacerbates the threat. The School Fees Payment System is likely used by educational institutions to manage fee payments, making the data sensitive and critical for operational continuity. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized data access, data manipulation, or disruption of payment processing, potentially affecting students, parents, and administrative staff.

For European organizations, particularly educational institutions using the affected School Fees Payment System version 1.0, this vulnerability poses significant risks. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive personal and financial data of students and their families, violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. Data integrity could be compromised, resulting in incorrect fee records or fraudulent transactions, undermining trust and causing financial losses. Availability impacts could disrupt fee payment processing, affecting institutional revenue and operational workflows. The public disclosure of the exploit increases the likelihood of attacks, including automated scanning and exploitation by cybercriminals. Given the critical nature of educational data and the regulatory environment in Europe, organizations face potential legal liabilities and reputational damage if exploited.

Immediate mitigation should focus on input validation and sanitization of the 'ID' parameter in /branch.php to prevent SQL injection. Employ parameterized queries or prepared statements to ensure that user input cannot alter SQL command structure. Organizations should audit their deployment of the School Fees Payment System to identify affected versions and isolate vulnerable instances. If possible, restrict network access to the application to trusted IP ranges or implement web application firewalls (WAFs) with SQL injection detection and blocking capabilities. Monitor logs for suspicious activity targeting the 'ID' parameter. Since no official patch is currently available, consider temporary compensating controls such as disabling the vulnerable functionality if feasible or migrating to alternative payment systems. Educate administrative staff about the risk and ensure backups of critical data are up to date to enable recovery in case of compromise.