CVE-2025-9701 is a SQL Injection vulnerability identified in SourceCodester Simple Cafe Billing System version 1.0, specifically within an unspecified function in the /receipt.php file. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization or validation of the 'ID' parameter, which allows an attacker to manipulate the SQL query executed by the application. This manipulation can lead to unauthorized access or modification of the underlying database. The attack vector is remote and does not require any authentication or user interaction, making exploitation relatively straightforward. The vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of exploitation, although no known exploits have been reported in the wild to date. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 6.9, indicating a medium severity level. The vector metrics highlight that the attack can be launched over the network (AV:N) with low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges or user interaction required (PR:N/UI:N), and impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability to a limited extent (VC:L/VI:L/VA:L). The scope remains unchanged (SC:N), and no security requirements are altered (SI:N/SA:N). This vulnerability could allow attackers to extract sensitive billing data, modify transaction records, or disrupt billing operations, potentially leading to financial losses or reputational damage for affected organizations.

For European organizations using the Simple Cafe Billing System 1.0, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of their billing data. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of customer information, manipulation of billing records, and disruption of financial operations. This could result in financial losses, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations due to data breaches), and damage to customer trust. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the hospitality sector, including cafes and restaurants, are particularly vulnerable if they rely on this software for transaction processing. The remote and unauthenticated nature of the exploit increases the likelihood of attacks, especially if the billing system is accessible over the internet or poorly segmented within internal networks. Additionally, the lack of known patches or mitigations at the time of disclosure means organizations must act promptly to reduce exposure.

1. Immediate mitigation should involve restricting external access to the affected /receipt.php endpoint by implementing network-level controls such as firewalls or VPNs to limit exposure. 2. Conduct a thorough code review and apply input validation and parameterized queries or prepared statements to sanitize the 'ID' parameter and prevent SQL injection. 3. If available, upgrade to a patched version of the Simple Cafe Billing System; if no patch exists, consider replacing the software with a more secure alternative. 4. Implement web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting the vulnerable parameter. 5. Monitor logs for unusual database queries or access patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. 6. Educate IT staff and administrators about the vulnerability and ensure timely application of security updates. 7. Segment the billing system from other critical infrastructure to contain potential breaches.