CVE-2026-25814 is a critical injection vulnerability classified under CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component) found in PlaciPy version 1.0.0, a placement management system developed by Praskla-Technology for educational institutions. The vulnerability stems from the insecure handling of user-supplied query parameters that are directly embedded into DynamoDB query and filter constructions without any validation or sanitization. This flaw allows an attacker to craft malicious input that can manipulate the underlying DynamoDB queries, potentially enabling unauthorized data retrieval, data modification, or other injection-based attacks. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction, increasing its risk profile. The CVSS 4.0 score of 9.3 reflects the critical nature of this issue, with high impact on confidentiality and integrity, though availability is not affected. While no public exploits have been reported yet, the vulnerability's characteristics make it a prime target for attackers aiming to compromise educational data systems. The lack of patches or official remediation at the time of publication necessitates immediate defensive measures. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and secure query construction when interfacing with NoSQL databases like DynamoDB, especially in systems managing sensitive educational placement data.

For European organizations, especially educational institutions using PlaciPy 1.0.0, this vulnerability poses a severe risk to the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive student placement data. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to personal and academic information, manipulation of placement records, or disruption of placement processes. Such breaches could result in regulatory penalties under GDPR due to exposure of personal data, reputational damage, and operational disruptions. The critical severity and ease of exploitation mean attackers can remotely compromise systems without credentials, increasing the likelihood of attacks. The impact extends beyond individual institutions to potentially affect national education systems that rely on centralized or widely deployed placement management solutions. Furthermore, compromised data integrity could undermine trust in educational processes and decision-making. Given the sensitive nature of educational data and the increasing digitization of education in Europe, the threat is significant and demands urgent attention.

European organizations should immediately implement strict input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied query parameters before they are used in DynamoDB queries. Employ parameterized queries or prepared statements if supported by the DynamoDB SDK to prevent injection. Monitor application logs and database query patterns for unusual or malformed queries indicative of exploitation attempts. If possible, restrict network access to the PlaciPy application to trusted IP ranges and enforce strong access controls. Conduct a thorough code review to identify and remediate other potential injection points. Since no official patch is available, consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block injection payloads targeting DynamoDB queries. Educate developers and administrators on secure coding practices related to NoSQL databases. Finally, plan for an upgrade or patch deployment once the vendor releases an official fix, and maintain regular backups of critical data to enable recovery in case of compromise.