CVE-2026-2196 identifies a SQL injection vulnerability in the code-projects Online Reviewer System version 1.0, specifically in the handling of the test_id parameter within the exam-update.php script located at /system/system/admins/assessments/pretest/. The vulnerability arises from insufficient sanitization or validation of user-supplied input, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands remotely without authentication or user interaction. Exploiting this flaw could enable attackers to manipulate backend database queries, potentially leading to unauthorized data retrieval, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability has a CVSS 4.0 score of 6.9, reflecting a medium severity level due to its remote exploitability and lack of required privileges, but with limited impact on integrity and availability. Although no active exploits have been reported in the wild, the public disclosure of exploit code increases the likelihood of future attacks. The affected product is used primarily in educational or certification environments to manage assessments and reviews, making the confidentiality and integrity of exam data critical. The vulnerability's presence in a core administrative component suggests that successful exploitation could compromise sensitive assessment data or disrupt exam management processes. The absence of vendor patches at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate defensive measures to mitigate risk.

For European organizations, particularly educational institutions, certification bodies, and training providers using the code-projects Online Reviewer System 1.0, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of exam and assessment data. Unauthorized SQL injection attacks could lead to exposure of sensitive student or candidate information, manipulation of exam results, or disruption of assessment workflows. Such impacts could undermine trust in certification processes and lead to regulatory compliance issues under GDPR due to personal data breaches. The remote and unauthenticated nature of the exploit increases the attack surface, especially for publicly accessible systems. Additionally, the potential for data manipulation could affect the integrity of certification outcomes, with reputational and operational consequences. Although availability impact is limited, targeted attacks could cause denial of service by corrupting database contents. The medium severity rating suggests that while the threat is serious, it may not lead to full system compromise without additional vulnerabilities. However, the public availability of exploit code elevates the urgency for European organizations to address this vulnerability promptly.

1. Monitor vendor communications closely and apply official patches or updates as soon as they become available to remediate the vulnerability at the source. 2. Until patches are released, implement strict input validation and sanitization on the test_id parameter and any other user-supplied inputs to prevent injection of malicious SQL code. 3. Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) with rules specifically designed to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting the Online Reviewer System endpoints. 4. Restrict network access to the administrative components of the system, limiting exposure to trusted internal networks or VPNs to reduce the attack surface. 5. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focused on injection vulnerabilities within the application and its environment. 6. Implement database least privilege principles, ensuring the application’s database user has only the minimum necessary permissions to limit the impact of a successful injection. 7. Maintain comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect suspicious activities related to SQL injection attempts and respond swiftly. 8. Educate system administrators and developers about secure coding practices and the importance of input validation to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future versions.