CVE-2025-3041: Online Time Table Generator RCE Flaw

CVE-2025-3041 Overview

A critical unrestricted file upload vulnerability has been discovered in Project Worlds Online Time Table Generator version 1.0. The vulnerability exists in the /admin/updatestudent.php file, where the pic parameter fails to properly validate uploaded files. This allows remote authenticated attackers to upload arbitrary files, potentially leading to remote code execution on the affected server.

Critical Impact

Remote attackers with low privileges can upload malicious files through the vulnerable endpoint, potentially achieving arbitrary code execution on the web server hosting the application.

Affected Products

• Project Worlds Online Time Table Generator 1.0
• Deployments using the vulnerable /admin/updatestudent.php endpoint
• PHP-based installations with insufficient file upload validation

Discovery Timeline

• April 1, 2025 - CVE-2025-3041 published to NVD
• July 9, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-3041

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability stems from improper access control (CWE-284) and unrestricted upload of files with dangerous types (CWE-434). The /admin/updatestudent.php endpoint accepts file uploads through the pic parameter without performing adequate validation on the file type, content, or extension. This design flaw allows attackers to bypass intended security restrictions and upload files that should be restricted.

In typical file upload implementations, the server should validate the file's MIME type, extension, and content to ensure only safe file types (such as images) are accepted. The vulnerable endpoint fails to implement these safeguards, enabling attackers to upload executable scripts such as PHP web shells.

Root Cause

The root cause is the absence of proper file upload validation in the updatestudent.php script. The application accepts the pic parameter without verifying:

• File extension against an allowlist of safe types
• MIME type validation
• File content analysis to detect embedded malicious code
• Filename sanitization to prevent directory traversal

This combination of missing controls classifies the vulnerability under both CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and CWE-434 (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type).

Attack Vector

The attack can be initiated remotely over the network by an authenticated user with low privileges. An attacker would craft a malicious file, such as a PHP web shell disguised with an image extension or using PHP content, and submit it through the vulnerable pic parameter. Once uploaded, the attacker can access the malicious file directly via the web server to execute arbitrary commands.

The exploitation flow involves submitting a crafted HTTP POST request to /admin/updatestudent.php with a malicious file payload in the pic field. Upon successful upload, the attacker navigates to the uploaded file location to trigger code execution.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-3041

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual files with executable extensions (.php, .phtml, .php5) appearing in upload directories
• Web server logs showing POST requests to /admin/updatestudent.php followed by GET requests to upload directories
• Unexpected PHP files or web shells in student image directories
• Anomalous outbound network connections from the web server process

Detection Strategies

• Monitor file system changes in upload directories for non-image files or files with embedded PHP code
• Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect malicious file upload attempts
• Review Apache/Nginx access logs for suspicious patterns targeting the vulnerable endpoint
• Deploy file integrity monitoring on web application directories

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging on the /admin/updatestudent.php endpoint
• Configure alerts for file uploads with double extensions (e.g., image.php.jpg)
• Monitor for web shell signatures in uploaded files using YARA rules
• Implement real-time scanning of upload directories for malicious content

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-3041

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict access to the /admin/updatestudent.php endpoint pending patch deployment
• Implement server-side file type validation using both extension allowlists and MIME type checking
• Audit existing upload directories for any previously uploaded malicious files
• Consider disabling PHP execution in upload directories via web server configuration

Patch Information

No official patch has been released by the vendor at this time. Organizations using Project Worlds Online Time Table Generator 1.0 should implement the workarounds listed below and monitor for vendor updates. Additional technical details are available in the GitHub Issue Discussion and VulDB Entry #302103.

Workarounds

• Implement server-side file validation with strict allowlists for permitted file types
• Store uploaded files outside the web root directory to prevent direct access
• Rename uploaded files to random strings to prevent predictable file paths
• Disable PHP execution in upload directories using .htaccess or server configuration

# Apache: Disable PHP execution in upload directories
# Add to .htaccess in the upload directory
<FilesMatch "\.ph(p[3-7]?|tml)$">
    Require all denied
</FilesMatch>

# Nginx: Disable PHP execution in upload directories
# Add to server block configuration
location ~* /uploads/.*\.php$ {
    deny all;
}