CVE-2025-8953 is a SQL Injection vulnerability identified in SourceCodester COVID 19 Testing Management System version 1.0. The vulnerability resides in the /check_availability.php file, specifically in the handling of the 'employeeid' parameter. An attacker can manipulate this parameter to inject malicious SQL code, potentially allowing unauthorized access to the backend database. This can lead to unauthorized data retrieval, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without requiring authentication or user interaction, increasing its risk profile. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 6.9 (medium severity), reflecting the network attack vector, low attack complexity, and no privileges or user interaction needed. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is rated as low individually but combined can be significant depending on the database contents. No official patches have been released yet, and while no known exploits are currently active in the wild, public disclosure of the exploit code increases the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability affects only version 1.0 of the product, which is a specialized COVID-19 testing management system likely deployed in healthcare or public health environments managing sensitive patient and testing data.

For European organizations, especially healthcare providers, public health agencies, and laboratories using the SourceCodester COVID 19 Testing Management System, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive personal health information, including COVID-19 test results and employee data, violating GDPR and other privacy regulations. Data integrity could be compromised, potentially affecting test result accuracy and public health decisions. Availability impacts could disrupt testing workflows, delaying critical health responses. Given the healthcare sector's critical role during the pandemic and ongoing health monitoring, such disruptions could have cascading effects on public health and safety. Additionally, reputational damage and regulatory penalties could arise from data breaches. The medium severity rating suggests that while the vulnerability is serious, exploitation may require some technical skill, and the impact might be limited if the system is not widely deployed or properly segmented.

Organizations should immediately audit their use of SourceCodester COVID 19 Testing Management System version 1.0 and isolate any exposed instances. Specific mitigations include: 1) Implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with SQL injection detection and prevention rules tailored to the /check_availability.php endpoint and the employeeid parameter. 2) Applying input validation and parameterized queries or prepared statements in the application code to prevent SQL injection, if source code access is available. 3) Restricting network access to the application to trusted internal networks or VPNs to reduce exposure. 4) Monitoring logs for suspicious queries or unusual access patterns targeting the vulnerable parameter. 5) Segregating the database with least privilege principles to limit the impact of a successful injection. 6) Planning for an upgrade or patch deployment once the vendor releases a fix. 7) Conducting regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on injection flaws. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on immediate containment, detection, and architectural controls specific to this vulnerability and product.