CVE-2025-6417 is a SQL Injection vulnerability identified in version 1.1 of the PHPGurukul Art Gallery Management System, specifically within the /admin/add-artist.php file. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization or validation of the 'awarddetails' parameter, which can be manipulated by an attacker to inject malicious SQL code. This injection flaw allows an unauthenticated remote attacker with limited privileges (PR:L) to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the backend database without requiring user interaction. The vulnerability has a CVSS 4.0 base score of 5.3, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), with low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required for authentication (AT:N), and no user interaction needed (UI:N). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is limited (VC:L, VI:L, VA:L), suggesting partial compromise of data or system functionality rather than full control or data exfiltration. The scope remains unchanged (SC:N), meaning the vulnerability affects only the vulnerable component and does not extend to other components. Although no public exploits are currently known in the wild, the vulnerability details have been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability is critical in nature due to its injection vector but is rated medium because of limited impact and required privileges. The lack of available patches or updates at the time of disclosure increases the urgency for mitigation. This vulnerability could allow attackers to manipulate database queries, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data modification, or denial of service conditions within the affected application module.

For European organizations using PHPGurukul Art Gallery Management System version 1.1, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized access and manipulation of sensitive data related to artist records and awards. Given the administrative context of the vulnerable endpoint, attackers could alter or corrupt artist information, impacting data integrity and potentially disrupting business operations. Although the impact is rated medium, exploitation could lead to reputational damage, especially for galleries handling valuable or sensitive art collections. The vulnerability could also serve as a foothold for further attacks within the network if the compromised system is connected to broader organizational infrastructure. Since the attack requires no user interaction and can be launched remotely, it increases the risk of automated exploitation attempts. European cultural institutions, art galleries, and related businesses relying on this system may face operational disruptions and data breaches, which could lead to regulatory scrutiny under GDPR if personal data is involved. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently limits immediate widespread impact, but public disclosure heightens the risk of future attacks.

Implement immediate input validation and sanitization on the 'awarddetails' parameter within /admin/add-artist.php to prevent injection of malicious SQL code. Apply parameterized queries or prepared statements in the database interaction layer to eliminate direct concatenation of user inputs into SQL commands. Restrict access to the /admin/add-artist.php endpoint to trusted administrators only, using strong authentication and network-level controls such as IP whitelisting or VPN access. Monitor web server and database logs for unusual or suspicious SQL query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. If possible, upgrade to a newer, patched version of the PHPGurukul Art Gallery Management System once available, or consider alternative software solutions with active security support. Conduct a security audit of the entire application to identify and remediate other potential injection points or vulnerabilities. Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules tailored to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting the vulnerable parameter. Educate administrative users on security best practices and the importance of reporting anomalies promptly.