CVE-2025-15404: School File Management System RCE Flaw

CVE-2025-15404 Overview

A security vulnerability has been identified in Campcodes School File Management System version 1.0. The vulnerability exists in the /save_file.php endpoint, where improper validation of the File argument allows attackers to upload arbitrary files without restriction. This unrestricted file upload vulnerability can be exploited remotely by authenticated attackers to upload malicious files, potentially leading to remote code execution if executable files (such as PHP scripts) are uploaded and accessed on the web server.

Critical Impact

Attackers can upload malicious files including web shells and backdoors, potentially achieving complete server compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive student and school data.

Affected Products

• Campcodes School File Management System 1.0

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-01 - CVE-2025-15404 published to NVD
• 2026-01-06 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-15404

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-434 (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type) and CWE-284 (Improper Access Control). The /save_file.php script fails to properly validate uploaded files, allowing attackers to bypass intended file type restrictions. The exploit has been disclosed publicly, increasing the urgency for organizations using this software to implement protective measures.

In educational software like this file management system, such vulnerabilities are particularly concerning as they may expose sensitive student records, grades, and personal information to unauthorized access.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in insufficient input validation within the file upload functionality of /save_file.php. The application does not properly verify the file type, extension, or content of uploaded files before storing them on the server. This allows attackers to upload executable scripts (such as PHP web shells) that can then be accessed directly through the web server to execute arbitrary commands.

Attack Vector

The attack can be initiated remotely over the network by an authenticated user. An attacker would craft a malicious file, such as a PHP web shell, and submit it through the file upload functionality. Since the application lacks proper file type validation, the malicious file is accepted and stored in an accessible location. The attacker can then access the uploaded file via a direct URL request, triggering code execution on the server.

The vulnerability mechanism involves the following attack flow:

1. An authenticated attacker accesses the file upload functionality in the School File Management System
2. The attacker crafts a malicious file (e.g., PHP web shell) potentially disguised with a legitimate extension or MIME type
3. The /save_file.php endpoint processes the upload without adequate validation of the file contents or type
4. The malicious file is stored in a web-accessible directory on the server
5. The attacker accesses the uploaded file directly via URL, executing the malicious code

For additional technical details, see the GitHub CVE Issue Discussion and VulDB entry.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-15404

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected files with executable extensions (.php, .phtml, .php5) in upload directories
• Web shell signatures in uploaded files or web access logs
• Unusual outbound network connections from the web server
• Access logs showing requests to unusual files in upload directories

Detection Strategies

• Monitor file upload directories for unexpected file types, especially executable scripts
• Implement file integrity monitoring on web-accessible directories
• Review web server access logs for requests to newly uploaded files with suspicious patterns
• Deploy web application firewalls (WAF) with rules to detect malicious file uploads

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for the /save_file.php endpoint and related upload functionality
• Configure alerts for file creation events in upload directories that don't match expected file types
• Monitor for process execution originating from web server directories
• Implement network traffic analysis to detect command and control communications

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-15404

Immediate Actions Required

• Disable or restrict access to the /save_file.php endpoint until a patch is available
• Implement strict file type validation at the application and web server level
• Review and remove any suspicious files from upload directories
• Restrict execution permissions on file upload directories
• Limit access to the School File Management System to trusted networks only

Patch Information

No official vendor patch has been identified at this time. Organizations should monitor the CampCodes website for security updates. Until a patch is released, implement the workarounds and detection strategies outlined below to reduce risk.

Workarounds

• Configure the web server to prevent execution of scripts in upload directories (e.g., using .htaccess rules for Apache)
• Implement application-level file type validation using allowlists for permitted file extensions
• Store uploaded files outside the web root directory or in a location without execute permissions
• Use a separate domain or subdomain for serving user-uploaded content
• Implement content-type verification by checking file headers, not just extensions

# Apache configuration to prevent script execution in upload directories
# Add to .htaccess file in the upload directory

# Disable script execution
<FilesMatch "\.(php|php5|phtml|cgi|pl|py|jsp|asp|aspx)$">
    Require all denied
</FilesMatch>

# Alternative: Force all files to be downloaded, not executed
<FilesMatch ".*">
    Header set Content-Disposition "attachment"
</FilesMatch>