CVE Alert: CVE-2025-10479 – SourceCodester – Online Student File Management System

Risk verdict

High risk: publicly released exploit and network-accessible SQL injection with no authentication makes remote compromise plausible.

Why this matters

An attacker can potentially exfiltrate or modify data due to a direct database query from a web endpoint. The lack of user interaction and remote exposure raise the likelihood of automated scans and widespread attempts, with potential downstream impact on integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the affected data.

Most likely attack path

Exploitation requires no user credentials and relies on input to a web-facing parameter. An attacker can inject into the stud_no parameter via the index.php endpoint, triggering a database query manipulation that may disclose or alter data. Because AV is network-based and PR is none, a successful chain can occur with minimal preconditions, enabling rapid impact and possible lateral movement within the web app’s data layer if privileges permit.

Who is most exposed

Publicly reachable installations running the described system, typical in educational or small-to-medium hosting environments, especially where default or weak input handling and database privileges exist.

Detection ideas

• Look for abnormal SQL error messages in web and application logs.
• Monitor for unusual or numerous requests to index.php with crafted stud_no parameters.
• Detect repeated failed or successful SQL queries suggesting data leakage attempts.
• Correlate spikes in DB latency with specific URIs or query patterns.
• Inspect WAF/logs for known SQLi payload signatures.

Mitigation and prioritisation

• Apply a patch or upgrade when vendor fixes are available; verify in staging first.
• Enforce parameterised queries/prepared statements and strict input validation.
• Implement least-privilege database accounts and disable unnecessary DB access from the web tier.
• Deploy a web application firewall with SQLi signatures and enable runtime monitoring.
• Change-management: test changes in a non-production environment; plan rapid patch windows if KEV true or EPSS ≥ 0.5. If either is confirmed, treat as priority 1.