CVE-2025-9017 is a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in version 2.1 of the PHPGurukul Zoo Management System, specifically within the /admin/add-foreigner-ticket.php file. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization or validation of the 'visitorname' parameter, which can be manipulated by an attacker to inject malicious scripts. This flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of the victim's browser when they access a crafted URL or input. The vulnerability does not require authentication or privileges, making it accessible to unauthenticated remote attackers. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 5.3 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based, with low attack complexity, no privileges required, but user interaction is needed (victim must visit a malicious link or page). The impact primarily affects the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and data accessible via the affected web interface, potentially enabling session hijacking, defacement, or redirection to malicious sites. No patches or fixes have been publicly linked yet, and no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, though the exploit details have been disclosed publicly, increasing the risk of exploitation.

For European organizations using PHPGurukul Zoo Management System 2.1, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk. Given that the system is likely used by zoos or wildlife management entities, exploitation could lead to unauthorized script execution in administrative interfaces, potentially compromising sensitive visitor data or administrative credentials. This could result in reputational damage, data breaches involving visitor information, or unauthorized changes to ticketing or visitor records. While the vulnerability does not directly impact system availability, the integrity and confidentiality of administrative operations are at risk. European organizations with public-facing administrative portals are particularly vulnerable, as attackers could craft malicious links targeting administrative users. Additionally, the medium severity score suggests that while the threat is not critical, it should not be ignored, especially in environments where visitor data privacy is regulated under GDPR and other data protection laws.

Organizations should immediately review and sanitize all user inputs, particularly the 'visitorname' parameter in the /admin/add-foreigner-ticket.php endpoint. Implementing robust input validation and output encoding to neutralize script injection is critical. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. Restrict access to the administrative interface via IP whitelisting or VPN to reduce exposure. Monitor web server logs for suspicious requests targeting the vulnerable parameter. Since no official patch is currently available, consider applying temporary workarounds such as disabling the affected functionality or restricting user input length and characters. Educate administrative users about the risks of clicking unknown links and encourage the use of multi-factor authentication to mitigate session hijacking risks. Finally, maintain up-to-date backups and prepare incident response plans in case of exploitation.