CVE-2026-25809 is an improper authorization vulnerability (CWE-285) found in version 1.0.0 of Praskla-Technology's assessment-placipy, a placement management system used by educational institutions. The vulnerability resides in the code evaluation endpoint, which does not validate the current lifecycle state of an assessment before permitting code execution. Specifically, the system fails to check whether the assessment has started, whether it is expired, or if the submission window is open. This lack of validation allows users with network access and low privileges to execute code outside the intended assessment timeframe, potentially enabling premature or unauthorized submissions or manipulation of assessment results. The vulnerability has a CVSS 4.0 base score of 5.3, reflecting medium severity, with attack vector as network, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, and limited impact on integrity. No patches or known exploits are currently available. The flaw undermines the integrity and proper authorization controls of the assessment process, which could lead to academic fraud or disruption of assessment workflows. Given the nature of the product, the impact is primarily on educational institutions relying on this system for secure and fair placement assessments.

For European organizations, particularly educational institutions using assessment-placipy, this vulnerability poses risks to the integrity and trustworthiness of placement assessments. Unauthorized code execution outside the allowed assessment window could enable students or malicious actors to submit assessments prematurely, alter results, or disrupt the evaluation process. This could lead to unfair academic advantages, reputational damage, and potential legal or regulatory consequences related to educational standards and data integrity. The impact on confidentiality and availability is minimal, but the integrity of assessment data is significantly at risk. Institutions relying on automated or remote assessment systems may face challenges in ensuring compliance with educational regulations and maintaining stakeholder trust. Additionally, if exploited at scale, this vulnerability could undermine broader digital education initiatives across Europe.

To mitigate CVE-2026-25809, organizations should implement strict validation of the assessment lifecycle state within the code evaluation endpoint. Specifically, the system must verify that the assessment has officially started, is not expired, and that the submission window is currently open before allowing any code execution. This validation should be enforced server-side to prevent bypass. Additionally, applying role-based access controls to restrict who can invoke code evaluation functions is recommended. Monitoring and logging all code execution requests with timestamps and user identifiers can help detect anomalous or out-of-window activities. Since no official patch is currently available, organizations should consider temporary compensating controls such as disabling remote code execution features until a fix is released. Regularly reviewing and updating the assessment management workflows to incorporate security best practices will also reduce risk. Finally, educating users and administrators about the importance of lifecycle state enforcement can help maintain vigilance.