CVE-2025-6352 is a vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the code-projects Automated Voting System, specifically within the backend component located in the /vote.php file. The vulnerability is characterized as a 'direct request' manipulation, which typically implies that an attacker can craft and send unauthorized HTTP requests directly to backend endpoints, bypassing intended access controls or validation mechanisms. This flaw allows remote attackers to exploit the system without requiring authentication or user interaction, as indicated by the CVSS vector. The vulnerability has a CVSS 4.0 base score of 6.9, categorizing it as medium severity. The exploit is publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of exploitation, although no known active exploitation in the wild has been reported yet. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality of the system at a low level, with no direct impact on integrity or availability. The ease of exploitation is high due to the lack of required privileges and user interaction, and the attack vector is network-based, meaning it can be triggered remotely over the internet or internal networks. The scope is unchanged, indicating the vulnerability affects only the vulnerable component without extending to other system components. Overall, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to the integrity of automated voting processes managed by the affected system, potentially allowing unauthorized vote submissions or manipulation of voting data through direct backend requests.

For European organizations utilizing the code-projects Automated Voting System 1.0, this vulnerability poses a risk to the integrity and trustworthiness of electronic voting processes. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized vote submissions or manipulation, undermining the reliability of election outcomes or internal decision-making processes that rely on automated voting. Although the confidentiality impact is low and availability is not affected, the integrity compromise could have severe reputational and operational consequences, especially for governmental bodies, political parties, or organizations conducting critical votes. Given the public disclosure of the exploit, there is an increased risk of opportunistic attacks targeting vulnerable installations. The medium severity rating suggests that while the vulnerability is not critical, it requires prompt attention to prevent potential misuse. The impact is particularly significant in contexts where voting integrity is paramount, such as municipal elections, corporate governance, or public consultations within European countries.

1. Immediate application of patches or updates from the vendor once available is the primary mitigation step. Since no patch links are currently provided, organizations should engage with the vendor or monitor official channels for updates. 2. Implement strict network-level access controls to restrict access to the /vote.php endpoint, limiting it to trusted IP addresses or internal networks where feasible. 3. Deploy web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious direct request patterns targeting the voting backend. 4. Conduct thorough input validation and implement server-side authorization checks to ensure that only legitimate voting requests are processed, preventing unauthorized direct requests. 5. Monitor logs for unusual voting activity or repeated access attempts to the vulnerable endpoint, enabling early detection of exploitation attempts. 6. Consider temporary disabling or isolating the Automated Voting System if it is critical and no immediate patch is available, especially during sensitive voting periods. 7. Educate system administrators and relevant personnel about the vulnerability and the importance of rapid response to suspicious activities related to the voting system.