CVE-2025-6293 is a SQL Injection vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the code-projects Hostel Management System, specifically within the /contact_manager.php file. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization or validation of the 'student_roll_no' parameter, which is directly incorporated into SQL queries. This flaw allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to inject malicious SQL code, potentially manipulating the backend database. The attack vector requires no user interaction or authentication, making it accessible for exploitation over the network. The vulnerability is classified with a CVSS 4.0 base score of 6.9 (medium severity), reflecting its network accessibility and ease of exploitation but limited impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all rated low). Although no known exploits are currently observed in the wild, the public disclosure of the vulnerability increases the risk of exploitation. The absence of available patches or mitigations from the vendor further elevates the threat. SQL Injection vulnerabilities can lead to unauthorized data access, data modification, or even complete compromise of the database, depending on the database permissions and application logic. Given the context of a Hostel Management System, sensitive student information, including personal data and contact details, could be exposed or altered, potentially violating data protection regulations such as GDPR.

For European organizations, particularly educational institutions and student housing providers using the affected Hostel Management System version 1.0, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of student data. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of personal information, which may include names, contact details, and academic identifiers, resulting in privacy breaches and regulatory non-compliance under GDPR. Additionally, data integrity could be compromised, affecting operational processes such as student accommodation management and communication. Although the availability impact is low, manipulation of database records could disrupt administrative functions. The medium CVSS score suggests that while the vulnerability is exploitable remotely without authentication, the overall damage potential is somewhat limited, possibly due to restricted database privileges or application design. However, the public disclosure and lack of patches increase the urgency for mitigation. European organizations face reputational damage, potential legal penalties, and operational disruptions if this vulnerability is exploited.

1. Immediate mitigation should include implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules specifically designed to detect and block SQL Injection attempts targeting the 'student_roll_no' parameter. 2. Conduct a thorough code review and refactor the /contact_manager.php script to use parameterized queries or prepared statements, eliminating direct concatenation of user input into SQL commands. 3. Apply strict input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied data, enforcing type and format constraints on 'student_roll_no'. 4. If upgrading or patching the Hostel Management System is not immediately possible, isolate the affected system within the network using segmentation and restrict external access to minimize exposure. 5. Monitor database logs and application logs for unusual query patterns or failed injection attempts to detect potential exploitation attempts early. 6. Educate IT and security teams about this specific vulnerability to ensure rapid response and incident handling. 7. Engage with the vendor or community to obtain or develop patches or updated versions addressing this vulnerability. 8. Regularly back up the database and verify backup integrity to enable recovery in case of data tampering.