CVE-2025-8240 is a SQL Injection vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the code-projects Exam Form Submission application, specifically within the /user/dashboard.php file. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization or validation of the 'phone' parameter, which can be manipulated by an attacker to inject malicious SQL code. This injection flaw allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the backend database without requiring any user interaction or privileges. The vulnerability is classified with a CVSS 4.0 base score of 6.9, indicating a medium severity level. The vector metrics indicate that the attack can be launched remotely (AV:N), requires no privileges (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and no scope change (SI:N). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is limited (VC:L, VI:L, VA:L), suggesting partial compromise potential rather than full system takeover. Although no public exploits are currently known in the wild, the vulnerability details have been disclosed publicly, increasing the risk of exploitation by threat actors. The absence of patches or mitigation links highlights the need for immediate attention by users of this software. SQL Injection vulnerabilities typically allow attackers to extract sensitive data, modify or delete records, or escalate privileges depending on the database permissions and application logic. Given the nature of the affected application—an exam form submission system—successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to personal data of exam candidates, manipulation of exam submissions, or disruption of the exam process, thereby undermining data integrity and availability.

For European organizations using the code-projects Exam Form Submission 1.0 software, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of candidate data and exam records. Educational institutions or certification bodies relying on this system could face data breaches exposing personal information such as phone numbers and potentially other linked data. Manipulation of exam submissions could compromise the fairness and validity of examination results, leading to reputational damage and legal liabilities under GDPR due to unauthorized data access or alteration. The remote and unauthenticated nature of the attack increases the risk of widespread exploitation, especially if the software is publicly accessible on the internet. Disruption of exam processes could also impact operational availability during critical periods. Although the CVSS score indicates medium severity, the contextual impact on educational and certification organizations in Europe could be substantial, particularly where exam integrity is paramount. Additionally, the lack of known exploits currently may provide a window for mitigation before active exploitation occurs.

1. Immediate mitigation should focus on input validation and sanitization: developers must implement strict validation of the 'phone' parameter to ensure only expected formats and characters are accepted. 2. Use of parameterized queries or prepared statements in all database interactions to prevent SQL injection. 3. Apply the principle of least privilege to the database user account used by the application, restricting permissions to only what is necessary for normal operation. 4. Conduct a thorough code review and security audit of the entire application to identify and remediate any additional injection points or vulnerabilities. 5. If possible, isolate the affected application behind a web application firewall (WAF) configured to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting the 'phone' parameter or related inputs. 6. Monitor application logs for suspicious activities indicative of injection attempts. 7. Engage with the vendor or development community to obtain or request an official patch or update addressing this vulnerability. 8. As a temporary measure, restrict external access to the /user/dashboard.php endpoint if feasible, or implement additional authentication controls to limit exposure. 9. Educate administrators and users about the risks and signs of exploitation to enable rapid detection and response.