The openSIS Community Edition 8.0, a widely deployed web-based school information system, contains a SQL Injection vulnerability identified in the ForgotPassUserName.php script. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input sanitization of the 'u' parameter in HTTP GET requests used during password recovery processes. An attacker with valid administrative credentials can intercept and modify HTTP requests, injecting SQL code such as 'OR '1'='1' to bypass authentication mechanisms or extract sensitive information from the backend database. Exploitation requires possession of a valid session cookie, indicating that authentication is mandatory, but no additional user interaction beyond sending the crafted request is necessary. The vulnerability corresponds to CVE-2021-40617 and has been demonstrated on Windows platforms. Publicly available exploit code lowers the barrier for exploitation, increasing the threat landscape. The vulnerability threatens the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive student and staff data, potentially allowing unauthorized data disclosure or modification. No official patches or remediation guidance are currently available, increasing urgency for organizations to implement mitigations. Given openSIS's widespread use in educational institutions, this vulnerability targets critical systems managing personal and academic records, posing a significant threat to data security and operational continuity.

European organizations, particularly educational institutions using openSIS Community Edition 8.0, face significant risks from this SQL Injection vulnerability. Exploitation can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive personal data of students and staff, violating GDPR and other data protection regulations, potentially resulting in substantial legal and financial penalties. Attackers could manipulate or delete records, undermining data integrity and disrupting school operations. Since exploitation requires administrative authentication, the risk is heightened if admin credentials are compromised, potentially leading to full system takeover. The vulnerability could also serve as a foothold for lateral movement within organizational networks or further attacks. The critical nature of educational data and the increasing digitization of school systems in Europe amplify the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Additionally, affected institutions may suffer reputational damage and loss of trust from stakeholders.

European organizations should immediately audit their openSIS deployments to identify affected versions. In the absence of official patches, organizations must implement strict input validation and parameterized queries specifically in the ForgotPassUserName.php script to prevent SQL Injection. Deploy web application firewalls (WAFs) with tailored rules to detect and block SQL Injection attempts targeting the vulnerable endpoint. Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all administrative accounts and continuously monitor admin sessions for anomalous activities indicative of session hijacking or misuse. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on web application vulnerabilities, emphasizing SQL Injection vectors. Network segmentation should be applied to isolate the openSIS system, limiting potential lateral movement if compromised. Provide targeted training to administrators on secure session management and the risks associated with session hijacking. Maintain comprehensive, regular backups of critical data to enable rapid recovery in case of data tampering or loss. Finally, monitor threat intelligence sources for updates on patches or further exploit developments.