CVE-2026-1160 identifies a SQL injection vulnerability in PHPGurukul Directory Management System version 1.0, specifically in the Search component's /index.php file. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization of the 'searchdata' parameter, which is directly used in SQL queries without adequate validation or parameterization. This allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to inject arbitrary SQL commands, potentially enabling unauthorized data retrieval, modification, or deletion within the backend database. The vulnerability has a CVSS 4.0 base score of 6.9, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires no privileges (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and no scope change (S:U). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is limited but non-negligible (VC:L, VI:L, VA:L). Although no public exploits are currently known in the wild, the public disclosure of the vulnerability increases the risk of exploitation by attackers. The vulnerability affects only version 1.0 of the product, and no official patches have been linked yet. The Directory Management System is typically used to manage organizational directories, making the confidentiality and integrity of stored data critical. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive directory information or disruption of directory services. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices such as input validation and use of prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks.

For European organizations, exploitation of this SQL injection vulnerability could result in unauthorized access to sensitive directory data, including personal or organizational information, leading to data breaches and privacy violations under GDPR. Integrity of directory data could be compromised, allowing attackers to alter or delete records, potentially disrupting business operations or causing misinformation. Availability impacts could arise if attackers execute destructive SQL commands, causing service outages. Organizations relying on PHPGurukul Directory Management System for critical internal or customer-facing services may face operational disruptions and reputational damage. The medium severity score reflects moderate but tangible risks, especially for sectors handling sensitive data such as government, healthcare, and finance. The lack of authentication requirement and remote exploitability increase the threat surface. Additionally, public disclosure without available patches raises the urgency for immediate mitigation to prevent exploitation by opportunistic attackers or automated scanning tools.

1. Immediate mitigation should focus on input validation: implement strict server-side validation and sanitization of the 'searchdata' parameter to reject or neutralize malicious input. 2. Employ parameterized queries or prepared statements in the Search component to prevent direct injection of user input into SQL commands. 3. If possible, restrict access to the vulnerable /index.php endpoint via network controls such as IP whitelisting or web application firewalls (WAF) with SQL injection detection rules. 4. Monitor logs for unusual query patterns or error messages indicative of SQL injection attempts. 5. Engage with the vendor or community to obtain or develop official patches or updates addressing this vulnerability. 6. Conduct a comprehensive security review of the entire application to identify and remediate similar injection flaws. 7. Educate developers and administrators on secure coding practices and the importance of input validation. 8. Consider isolating or segmenting the database to limit potential damage in case of exploitation. 9. Regularly back up directory data and test restoration procedures to minimize impact of data corruption or loss.