CVE-2025-69990 is a critical security vulnerability identified in the phpgurukul News Portal Project version 4.1. The vulnerability exists in the remove_file.php script, where the 'file' parameter is improperly validated, allowing an attacker to specify arbitrary file paths for deletion. This lack of input sanitization or access control enables unauthenticated remote attackers to delete any file on the web server that the application process has permission to remove. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-552 (Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties), highlighting improper handling of file operations. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.1 reflects the high impact on integrity and availability, with no required privileges or user interaction, and remote network attack vector. Exploitation could result in deletion of critical application files, configuration files, or even system files if permissions allow, potentially causing denial of service or enabling further compromise. Although no public exploits are reported yet, the simplicity of the attack vector and the severity of impact make this a critical threat. The absence of available patches necessitates immediate mitigation through code auditing, restricting file deletion functionality, and implementing strict input validation and access controls.

For European organizations, the arbitrary file deletion vulnerability poses a significant risk to the integrity and availability of web applications and underlying systems. News portals and content management systems based on phpgurukul or similar PHP frameworks could suffer from service outages if critical files are deleted, leading to operational disruption and reputational damage. The deletion of configuration or security files could also facilitate further attacks, such as privilege escalation or data breaches. Organizations in sectors relying heavily on web presence, such as media, government, and education, are particularly vulnerable. The ease of exploitation without authentication increases the likelihood of automated attacks or exploitation by opportunistic threat actors. Recovery from such attacks may require time-consuming restoration from backups, causing downtime and potential data loss. Additionally, compliance with European data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) could be impacted if service availability or data integrity is compromised.

Immediate mitigation steps include conducting a thorough code review of the remove_file.php script and any related file management functionalities to ensure proper input validation and sanitization. Implement strict allowlists for file paths and names that can be deleted, preventing arbitrary file path manipulation. Enforce access controls so that only authenticated and authorized users can perform file deletion operations. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the 'file' parameter. Monitor server logs for unusual file deletion attempts or errors. If possible, isolate the application with minimal file system permissions to limit the scope of deletable files. Develop and deploy patches that fix the vulnerability by validating input and restricting file operations. Regularly back up critical files and configurations to enable rapid recovery in case of successful exploitation. Educate developers on secure coding practices related to file handling to prevent similar vulnerabilities.