CVE-2025-9740 is a SQL Injection vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the code-projects Human Resource Integrated System (HRIS). The vulnerability exists in the /log_query.php file, specifically through the manipulation of the 'ID' parameter. An attacker can remotely exploit this flaw without any authentication or user interaction, by injecting malicious SQL code into the 'ID' argument. This injection can lead to unauthorized access or modification of the backend database, potentially exposing sensitive employee data or allowing an attacker to alter HR records. The vulnerability has a CVSS 4.0 base score of 6.9, categorized as medium severity, reflecting the ease of remote exploitation (no privileges or user interaction required) but limited impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all rated low). No patches or fixes have been published yet, and while no known exploits are currently active in the wild, the exploit code has been made public, increasing the risk of future attacks. The vulnerability does not require authentication, making any exposed installation of this HRIS version vulnerable to attackers scanning for this specific endpoint and parameter. Given the critical nature of HR data, exploitation could lead to data breaches, privacy violations, and potential compliance issues.

For European organizations using the affected Human Resource Integrated System version 1.0, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of employee data. HR systems typically store personally identifiable information (PII), payroll details, and other sensitive records protected under GDPR. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized data disclosure, resulting in regulatory fines and reputational damage. Additionally, attackers could manipulate HR records, potentially disrupting payroll or employment status, which could impact business operations. Since the vulnerability is remotely exploitable without authentication, attackers can target exposed systems over the internet, increasing the attack surface. The medium severity rating suggests that while the impact is not catastrophic, the potential for data leakage and operational disruption is non-negligible, especially for organizations with limited network segmentation or insufficient monitoring. European companies with remote-accessible HRIS installations are particularly at risk, and failure to mitigate could lead to compliance violations and loss of stakeholder trust.

Organizations should immediately audit their deployments of the code-projects Human Resource Integrated System to identify any instances of version 1.0. Until an official patch is released, the following specific mitigations are recommended: 1) Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting the 'ID' parameter in /log_query.php. 2) Restrict external access to the HRIS system by enforcing network segmentation and limiting access to trusted internal IPs or VPN users only. 3) Conduct input validation and sanitization on the 'ID' parameter at the application level, if possible, to reject suspicious input patterns. 4) Monitor logs for unusual query patterns or repeated access attempts to /log_query.php that may indicate exploitation attempts. 5) Plan for an urgent upgrade or patch deployment once the vendor releases a fix. 6) Educate IT and security teams about this vulnerability to ensure rapid response to any detected exploitation attempts. These targeted steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific vulnerable parameter and access vectors.