CVE Alert: CVE-2025-11659 – ProjectsAndPrograms – School Management System

1) Risk verdict

High risk: remote, unauthenticated arbitrary file upload could enable code execution; exploit has been publicly disclosed, so active targeting is plausible.

2) Why this matters

An attacker can upload a malicious file to the vulnerable upload endpoint, potentially leading to remote code execution, data compromise, or site defacement. The impact can cascade to available data integrity and service continuity across the institution’s web-facing system, with disruption to operations and reputational harm.

3) Most likely attack path

attacker targets the file upload function over the network, with no authentication and no user interaction required. By manipulating the File parameter, they upload a executable or script to a web-accessible location; if the server permits execution of uploaded content, this enables code execution and potential further access inside the server environment.

4) Who is most exposed

Education-sector deployments hosting this system on internet-facing infrastructure are at highest risk, especially self-hosted or lightly hardened environments where uploads are not tightly constrained or where upload directories allow script execution.

5) Detection ideas

• spikes or anomalies in requests to /assets/uploadNotes.php.
• uploaded files with risky extensions (php, php5, phtml, aspx, etc.).
• new files appearing in the upload directory followed by unusual HTTP requests to those files.
• web server errors or crashes after upload attempts.
• unexpected shell-like activity in server logs or process trees.

6) Mitigation and prioritisation

• Apply vendor patch or upgrade to a fixed build as soon as available; if rolling releases are used, ensure patches are deployed promptly.
• Enforce authentication for uploads and implement strict file-type and size controls; disallow executable extensions.
• Store uploads outside the web root and disable execution in the upload directory (e.g., via server config).
• Validate all uploads server-side; reject suspicious content and elements that can be interpreted as scripts.
• Implement WAF rules and rate limiting to detect/block abnormal upload patterns; enhance logging and alerting.
• Plan a staged change-management process: test in a staging environment, back-out plan, and monitor after deployment.