CVE-2025-6912: Student Record System SQL Injection Flaw

CVE-2025-6912 Overview

CVE-2025-6912 is a SQL injection vulnerability in PHPGurukul Student Record System version 3.2. The flaw resides in the /manage-students.php script, where the del parameter is passed to a database query without proper sanitization. Authenticated remote attackers can manipulate the parameter to inject arbitrary SQL statements. The exploit has been publicly disclosed, increasing the likelihood of opportunistic attacks against exposed installations. The issue is tracked under [CWE-74] (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component).

Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can inject arbitrary SQL through the del parameter, potentially reading, modifying, or deleting student record data stored in the backend database.

Affected Products

PHPGurukul Student Record System 3.2
Deployments using the /manage-students.php endpoint
Installations exposing the management interface to untrusted networks

Discovery Timeline

2025-06-30 - CVE-2025-6912 published to NVD
2026-04-29 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-6912

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability exists in the student management workflow of PHPGurukul Student Record System 3.2. The /manage-students.php script accepts a del parameter intended to identify a record for deletion. The application concatenates this value directly into a SQL statement without parameterization or input validation. An attacker can supply crafted SQL syntax to alter the query logic.

Because the flaw maps to [CWE-74], any downstream interpreter receiving the tainted input may execute unintended commands. In this case, the MySQL backend processes the injected payload as part of the original query.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of user-supplied input before database query construction. The application relies on direct string concatenation rather than prepared statements or parameterized queries. No allowlist or type-check validates that del contains only an integer record identifier.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires low-privilege authentication to the application. An attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to /manage-students.php with a malicious del value. Successful exploitation allows query manipulation, including UNION-based data extraction, boolean-based blind retrieval, or destructive operations against the database. Public disclosure of the proof-of-concept on the GitHub Issue Discussion lowers the barrier for opportunistic exploitation.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-6912

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to /manage-students.php containing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, UNION, SELECT, --, or /* in the del parameter
Unexpected MySQL error messages in application or web server logs originating from manage-students.php
Anomalous database read volume or table enumeration patterns following requests to the management interface

Detection Strategies

Inspect web server access logs for non-numeric values in the del query string parameter on /manage-students.php
Enable database query logging and alert on queries originating from the affected script that contain UNION, INFORMATION_SCHEMA, or stacked statements
Deploy a web application firewall rule set matching common SQL injection signatures against the application's management endpoints

Monitoring Recommendations

Monitor authentication logs for newly created or compromised low-privilege accounts that could be used to reach the vulnerable endpoint
Track outbound database connections for unusual SELECT volumes or schema discovery activity
Forward web and database telemetry to a centralized analytics platform for correlation across requests and query execution

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-6912

Immediate Actions Required

Restrict access to /manage-students.php to trusted administrative networks using IP allowlisting or VPN gating
Audit existing student records and database accounts for signs of unauthorized modification or extraction
Rotate database credentials used by the application if exploitation is suspected

Patch Information

No official vendor patch is referenced in the published advisory. Refer to the PHP Gurukul Blog for future security updates and to VulDB #314405 for tracking remediation status. Until an upstream fix is available, apply compensating controls described below.

Workarounds

Modify the application source to use parameterized queries or prepared statements (mysqli_prepare, PDO::prepare) for the del parameter
Cast the del value to an integer with intval() before using it in SQL statements
Deploy a web application firewall with SQL injection signatures in front of the application
Disable or remove the Student Record System if it is not required for active operations

bash

# Example WAF rule (ModSecurity) blocking SQLi on the del parameter
SecRule ARGS:del "!@rx ^[0-9]+$" \
  "id:1006912,phase:2,deny,status:403,\
   msg:'CVE-2025-6912 - Non-numeric del parameter on manage-students.php',\
   chain"
    SecRule REQUEST_URI "@streq /manage-students.php"