CVE-2025-9475 is a vulnerability identified in SourceCodester Human Resource Information System (HRIS) version 1.0. The flaw exists in the /Admin_Dashboard/process/editemployee_process.php script, specifically in the handling of the 'employee_file201' parameter. This vulnerability allows an attacker to perform an unrestricted file upload without authentication or user interaction. The unrestricted upload means that malicious files, including web shells or malware, can be uploaded to the server, potentially leading to remote code execution, data compromise, or further system compromise. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without any privileges or user interaction, increasing its risk profile. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 6.9 (medium severity), reflecting the ease of exploitation and the potential impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, albeit with limited scope and vector impact. No official patches or mitigations have been published yet, and while no known exploits are currently observed in the wild, proof-of-concept code is available, increasing the likelihood of exploitation attempts in the near future.

For European organizations using SourceCodester HRIS 1.0, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of employee data and organizational information. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive HR data, including personal identifiable information (PII), payroll details, and internal communications. Additionally, attackers could leverage uploaded malicious files to gain persistent access, pivot within the network, or disrupt HR operations, impacting availability. Given the critical role HR systems play in organizational workflows, any compromise could result in regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations), reputational damage, and financial losses. The medium severity score indicates a moderate but tangible risk, especially for organizations that have not implemented compensating controls or network segmentation around their HRIS infrastructure.

Organizations should immediately audit their SourceCodester HRIS installations to identify if version 1.0 is in use. In the absence of an official patch, the following mitigations are recommended: 1) Implement strict input validation and file type restrictions on the 'employee_file201' upload parameter to prevent unauthorized file types; 2) Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious upload attempts targeting the vulnerable endpoint; 3) Restrict access to the /Admin_Dashboard/process/editemployee_process.php script via network segmentation and IP whitelisting to limit exposure; 4) Monitor server logs for unusual file upload activity and newly created files in upload directories; 5) Apply the principle of least privilege to the web server process to minimize the impact of any uploaded malicious files; 6) Consider deploying runtime application self-protection (RASP) solutions to detect and block exploitation attempts in real-time; 7) Plan for an upgrade or patch deployment as soon as the vendor releases a fix; 8) Conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on file upload functionalities.