CVE-2025-8493 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the code-projects Intern Membership Management System, specifically within the /admin/edit_student_query.php file. The vulnerability arises due to improper sanitization or validation of the 'ID' parameter, which is directly used in SQL queries. An attacker can remotely exploit this flaw by manipulating the 'ID' argument in HTTP requests without requiring any authentication or user interaction. This allows the attacker to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the backend database queries, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data modification, or even complete compromise of the database server. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 6.9 (medium severity), reflecting the network attack vector, low attack complexity, and no required privileges or user interaction. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is rated as low individually but combined can be significant depending on the database content and system configuration. Although no public exploits are currently known in the wild, the vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of exploitation by opportunistic attackers. The lack of available patches or mitigations from the vendor further exacerbates the risk for organizations using this software version. Given that the affected product is an Intern Membership Management System, it likely stores sensitive personal data of interns, including identification and contact information, making it a valuable target for data theft or manipulation.

For European organizations using the code-projects Intern Membership Management System 1.0, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of intern-related data. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of personal data, violating GDPR requirements and potentially resulting in regulatory fines and reputational damage. Data manipulation could disrupt internal processes related to intern management, affecting HR operations and organizational workflows. Additionally, if the underlying database contains credentials or other sensitive information, attackers could leverage this access for lateral movement within the network, increasing the risk of broader compromise. The remote and unauthenticated nature of the exploit means attackers can target vulnerable systems from anywhere, increasing the threat surface. European organizations with limited cybersecurity resources or lacking timely patch management processes are particularly vulnerable. The absence of a patch or vendor guidance necessitates immediate risk mitigation to prevent exploitation.

1. Immediate mitigation should involve restricting access to the /admin/edit_student_query.php endpoint via network controls such as IP whitelisting or VPN access to limit exposure to trusted personnel only. 2. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns targeting the 'ID' parameter. 3. Conduct thorough input validation and parameterized queries or prepared statements in the source code to prevent SQL injection; if source code modification is possible, prioritize this fix. 4. If source code cannot be immediately fixed, consider deploying runtime application self-protection (RASP) solutions that can detect and block injection attempts. 5. Monitor logs for suspicious activity related to the vulnerable endpoint and parameter to detect potential exploitation attempts early. 6. Plan for an upgrade or migration to a patched or alternative membership management system that addresses this vulnerability. 7. Educate administrative users about the risk and encourage strong authentication and monitoring practices to detect unauthorized access attempts. 8. Regularly back up the database and verify backup integrity to enable recovery in case of data tampering.