CVE-2025-9529 is a file inclusion vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the Campcodes Payroll Management System. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of the 'page' parameter in the /index.php file, which is used in a file inclusion function. This flaw allows an attacker to manipulate the argument passed to the include function, enabling them to include arbitrary files remotely. Such file inclusion vulnerabilities can lead to the execution of malicious code, disclosure of sensitive information, or further compromise of the affected system. 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 complexity, no privileges or user interaction required, and limited impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no public exploits are currently known to be actively used in the wild, proof-of-concept exploit code has been made publicly available, increasing the likelihood of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability affects only version 1.0 of the Campcodes Payroll Management System, a specialized software product used for payroll management, which may be deployed in various organizational environments.

For European organizations using Campcodes Payroll Management System version 1.0, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on payroll servers, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive employee data, payroll records, and financial information. This could result in data breaches, financial fraud, and disruption of payroll operations. Given the critical nature of payroll systems in maintaining employee trust and regulatory compliance (e.g., GDPR), exploitation could lead to severe reputational damage and legal consequences. Additionally, attackers could leverage this vulnerability as a foothold to move laterally within the network, escalating privileges or deploying ransomware. The remote and unauthenticated nature of the exploit increases the threat level, especially for organizations with internet-facing payroll management interfaces or insufficient network segmentation.

Organizations should immediately verify if they are running Campcodes Payroll Management System version 1.0 and prioritize upgrading to a patched version once available. In the absence of an official patch, temporary mitigations include implementing strict input validation and sanitization on the 'page' parameter to prevent arbitrary file inclusion. Web application firewalls (WAFs) can be configured to detect and block suspicious requests targeting file inclusion patterns. Network segmentation should be enforced to isolate payroll systems from direct internet exposure, limiting access to trusted internal networks only. Regular monitoring of logs for unusual file inclusion attempts and deploying intrusion detection systems (IDS) can help identify exploitation attempts early. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their payroll systems and ensure backups are current and securely stored to facilitate recovery in case of compromise.