CVE-2026-1422 identifies a SQL Injection vulnerability in the code-projects Online Examination System version 1.0, specifically within the Login Page component's /index.php file. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization of the 'User' parameter, which an attacker can manipulate remotely to inject malicious SQL code. This injection flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries on the backend database without requiring authentication or user interaction, enabling unauthorized access, modification, or deletion of sensitive data stored within the examination system. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network with low attack complexity and no privileges needed, as indicated by the CVSS 4.0 vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is low to medium, as the attacker can potentially read or alter data but not necessarily cause full system compromise or denial of service. Although no active exploits have been observed in the wild, a public exploit has been disclosed, increasing the urgency for affected organizations to implement mitigations. The lack of available patches necessitates immediate defensive measures to prevent exploitation. This vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations relying on this examination system for secure and reliable assessment processes.

For European organizations, this vulnerability threatens the confidentiality and integrity of examination data, which may include personally identifiable information (PII), test results, and authentication credentials. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized data disclosure, manipulation of exam results, or disruption of examination services, undermining trust in academic and certification processes. Educational institutions, certification bodies, and government agencies using the affected system are particularly at risk. The potential for remote exploitation without authentication increases the attack surface, especially if the system is accessible from public or semi-public networks. This could result in reputational damage, regulatory penalties under GDPR for data breaches, and operational disruptions. The medium severity rating suggests that while the vulnerability is serious, it may not lead to full system compromise or widespread denial of service, but targeted attacks could still have significant localized impact.

1. Immediate implementation of input validation and sanitization on the 'User' parameter to prevent SQL injection. 2. Refactor the affected code to use parameterized queries or prepared statements instead of dynamic SQL construction. 3. Restrict network access to the Online Examination System, limiting it to trusted internal networks or VPNs to reduce exposure. 4. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting the login page. 5. Monitor logs for suspicious activities related to the 'User' parameter and unusual database queries. 6. Engage with the vendor or development community to obtain or develop patches and apply them promptly once available. 7. Conduct security audits and penetration testing focused on injection vulnerabilities in the system. 8. Educate system administrators and users about the risks and signs of exploitation attempts. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on immediate code-level fixes, network restrictions, and proactive monitoring tailored to this specific vulnerability.