CVE-2025-60782 identifies a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in PHP Education Manager version 1.0, specifically within the topics management module (topics.php). The vulnerability arises because the application fails to properly sanitize or encode user-supplied input in the Title field when creating or updating topics. An attacker with authenticated access can inject malicious JavaScript code into this field, which is then stored persistently in the application’s database. When other users view the affected topic, the malicious script executes in their browsers under the context of the vulnerable site, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, or deliver further malware. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.4 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based, requires low privileges (authenticated user), user interaction (viewing the topic), and impacts confidentiality and integrity with no impact on availability. The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that the vulnerability affects components beyond the initially vulnerable component. No patches or known exploits are currently available, and the vulnerability was published on October 2, 2025. The CWE classification is CWE-79, which corresponds to improper neutralization of input leading to XSS. This vulnerability is typical of web applications that do not enforce strict input validation or output encoding on user-generated content.

For European organizations, particularly educational institutions or entities using PHP Education Manager, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information such as session tokens or personal data via malicious scripts. Attackers could hijack user sessions, impersonate users, or manipulate data integrity by injecting scripts that alter displayed content or perform unauthorized actions. Although availability is not impacted, the breach of confidentiality and integrity could undermine trust in the platform and lead to compliance issues under GDPR if personal data is exposed. The requirement for authenticated access limits the attack surface to insiders or compromised accounts, but the stored nature of the XSS means multiple users can be affected once the payload is injected. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially if attackers develop exploits in the future.

To mitigate CVE-2025-60782, organizations should implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data, especially the Title field in the topics management module. Employ context-aware encoding (e.g., HTML entity encoding) before rendering user input in the browser. Restrict topic creation and update privileges to trusted users and enforce strong authentication and session management controls to reduce the risk of account compromise. Conduct regular code reviews and security testing focused on injection vulnerabilities. If possible, isolate the vulnerable module or disable topic creation until a patch or update is available. Monitor logs for unusual activity indicative of attempted exploitation. Educate users about the risks of clicking on suspicious links or content within the platform. Finally, engage with the software vendor or community to obtain or develop patches addressing this vulnerability.