CVE-2025-6501 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the code-projects Inventory Management System, specifically within the /php_action/createCategories.php file. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization or validation of the 'categoriesStatus' 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 remotely exploitable over the network, increasing its risk profile. Although the exact database backend is unspecified, typical SQL Injection impacts include unauthorized data disclosure, data modification, or deletion, and potentially full system compromise if leveraged to escalate privileges or execute system commands via the database. The CVSS 4.0 score is 6.9, categorized as medium severity, reflecting the ease of exploitation (no privileges or user interaction needed) but limited scope of impact (low confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but public disclosure of the exploit code increases the likelihood of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability affects only version 1.0 of the Inventory Management System, which is a niche product primarily used for managing inventory data, likely in small to medium enterprises. The lack of available patches or mitigations at the time of publication increases the urgency for affected users to implement workarounds or protective controls.

For European organizations using the code-projects Inventory Management System 1.0, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of inventory data. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive business information, manipulation or deletion of inventory records, and disruption of business operations. This is particularly impactful for sectors relying heavily on accurate inventory management such as retail, manufacturing, and logistics. Given the remote exploitability without authentication, attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access or pivot to other internal systems, potentially leading to broader network compromise. The medium CVSS score suggests that while the vulnerability is serious, the overall impact might be limited by the scope of the affected system and the presence of other security controls. However, organizations lacking proper network segmentation or monitoring could face elevated risks. Additionally, the public availability of exploit code increases the likelihood of opportunistic attacks, especially targeting less mature security environments common in smaller enterprises.

1. Immediate mitigation should focus on restricting external access to the Inventory Management System, ideally isolating it behind firewalls or VPNs to limit exposure to untrusted networks. 2. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules specifically designed to detect and block SQL Injection attempts targeting the 'categoriesStatus' parameter. 3. Conduct thorough input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied data, particularly the 'categoriesStatus' parameter, using parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL Injection. 4. If source code access is available, apply patches or code fixes to properly handle input validation; if not, consider disabling or restricting the vulnerable functionality until a patch is released. 5. Monitor logs for unusual database query patterns or errors indicative of injection attempts. 6. Regularly back up inventory data and verify backup integrity to enable recovery in case of data tampering or loss. 7. Engage with the vendor or community to obtain updates or patches as soon as they become available. 8. Educate IT staff and users about the risks and signs of exploitation to improve detection and response capabilities.