CVE-2025-6826 is a SQL Injection vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the code-projects Payroll Management System, specifically within the /Payroll_Management_System/ajax.php endpoint when handling the 'save_department' action. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization or validation of the 'ID' parameter, which allows an attacker to inject malicious SQL code. This injection can be exploited remotely without requiring any authentication or user interaction, making it highly accessible to attackers. The vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of exploitation, although no known exploits in the wild have been reported yet. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 6.9, indicating a medium severity level, with the vector highlighting network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges or user interaction required, and limited impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the payroll system's backend database, potentially allowing attackers to read, modify, or delete sensitive payroll data or escalate privileges within the system. Given that payroll systems often contain sensitive employee and financial data, exploitation could lead to data breaches, financial fraud, or disruption of payroll operations.

For European organizations using the affected Payroll Management System version 1.0, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive employee and financial data. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of personal data protected under GDPR, resulting in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Additionally, attackers could manipulate payroll data, causing financial losses or operational disruptions. The remote and unauthenticated nature of the exploit increases the likelihood of attacks, especially in organizations with internet-facing payroll management interfaces. This could also impact trust in HR and finance departments and potentially lead to insider threat scenarios if attackers gain persistent access. The medium severity rating suggests that while the impact is serious, the limited scope of affected versions and the absence of known active exploits somewhat mitigate immediate widespread risk. However, organizations must act promptly to prevent exploitation and comply with data protection regulations.

1. Immediate application of patches or updates from the vendor once available is critical; if no official patch exists, organizations should implement temporary mitigations such as input validation and parameterized queries to sanitize the 'ID' parameter in the ajax.php 'save_department' action. 2. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) configured to detect and block SQL injection patterns targeting the affected endpoint. 3. Restrict access to the payroll management system's administrative interfaces to trusted internal networks or VPNs to reduce exposure. 4. Conduct thorough code reviews and penetration testing focused on SQL injection vulnerabilities in all input handling, especially in legacy or custom payroll systems. 5. Monitor logs for unusual database queries or repeated failed attempts to exploit the 'ID' parameter. 6. Educate IT and security teams about the vulnerability and ensure incident response plans include steps for SQL injection attacks. 7. Consider migrating to updated or alternative payroll management solutions with better security track records if patching is not feasible.