CVE-2025-9444 is a SQL Injection vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the 1000projects Online Project Report Submission and Evaluation System. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization of the 'batch_id' parameter in the /admin/controller/delete_group_student.php script. An attacker can remotely manipulate this parameter to inject malicious SQL code, potentially allowing unauthorized access to or modification of the backend database. The vulnerability requires no authentication or user interaction, making it accessible to any remote attacker. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 6.9 (medium severity), reflecting the network attack vector, low complexity, and no privileges or user interaction needed. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is rated low individually but combined could allow attackers to extract sensitive data, alter records, or disrupt system operations. Although no public exploits are currently known in the wild, the vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of exploitation. The affected product is a niche academic/project management system, primarily used in educational institutions to manage project report submissions and evaluations.

For European organizations, particularly educational institutions and universities using the 1000projects system, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized data disclosure, including student records and project evaluations. Attackers exploiting this flaw could manipulate or delete student group data, undermining the integrity of academic records and evaluation processes. This could lead to reputational damage, loss of trust, and potential regulatory non-compliance under GDPR if personal data is exposed. Additionally, disruption of the submission and evaluation workflow could impact academic operations. While the product is not widely adopted across Europe, institutions relying on it without timely patching or mitigations are vulnerable to targeted attacks. The remote and unauthenticated nature of the exploit increases the threat level, especially in environments with limited network segmentation or weak perimeter defenses.

Since no official patches or updates are currently available, European organizations should immediately implement the following mitigations: 1) Apply strict input validation and sanitization on the 'batch_id' parameter at the web application firewall (WAF) or reverse proxy level to block SQL injection payloads. 2) Employ parameterized queries or prepared statements in the application code if source code access and modification are possible. 3) Restrict access to the /admin/controller/delete_group_student.php endpoint using IP whitelisting or VPN access to limit exposure. 4) Monitor web server and database logs for suspicious queries or repeated access attempts targeting the vulnerable parameter. 5) Conduct a thorough audit of database integrity and backup critical data regularly to enable recovery from potential tampering. 6) Engage with the vendor or community to obtain patches or updates as soon as they become available. 7) Educate administrative users on recognizing and reporting unusual system behavior promptly.