CVE-2025-65136 is a reflected XSS vulnerability found in the manikandan580 School-management-system version 1.0. This vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts via the pagedes POST parameter in the contact-us.php page located at /studentms/admin/. With a CVSS score of 6.1, this vulnerability is classified as medium severity, indicating that it poses a notable risk to users of the affected system.
The reflected XSS vulnerability can be exploited by attackers who can manipulate user input, potentially leading to session hijacking, defacement, or phishing attacks. Although the vulnerability is currently labeled as deferred, organizations utilizing this system must remain vigilant to prevent exploitation, especially since it has a medium impact on confidentiality and integrity.
Risk to organizations includes the potential for unauthorized access and manipulation of user data. Given the ease of exploitation due to low attack complexity, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle to mitigate risks effectively.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. Regular updates and security practices, such as input validation and output encoding, should be implemented to protect against such vulnerabilities.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of CVE-2025-65136 states that "In manikandan580 School-management-system 1.0, a reflected XSS vulnerability exists in /studentms/admin/contact-us.php via the pagedes POST parameter." This reflects the nature of the vulnerability as it pertains to the manipulation of user inputs to execute scripts.
The CVSS v3.1 score for this vulnerability is 6.1, indicating a medium severity level. This score is derived from the following factors: the attack vector is network-based, the attack complexity is low, and no privileges are required to exploit the vulnerability. However, user interaction is required, as an attacker must trick a user into clicking a malicious link.
The vulnerability falls under the CWE classification CWE-79, which relates to improper neutralization of input during web page generation ('Cross-site scripting').
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2025-65136 lies in the insufficient validation of user input in the affected component of the manikandan580 School-management-system. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a specially designed request containing malicious scripts that are reflected back to users.
The attack vector is primarily network-based, as the vulnerability can be exploited over the internet. The attack complexity is low, which means that an attacker does not need significant resources or skills to exploit the vulnerability. Additionally, no special privileges are required to perform the attack, making it accessible for potential attackers.
User interaction is necessary, as the victim must click on a link or submit a form that the attacker has crafted. The confidentiality and integrity impacts are assessed as low, indicating that while the vulnerability may not lead to full data compromise, it can still lead to unauthorized access to certain user data.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The deployment of CVE-2025-65136 in production environments poses significant risks to organizations. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to conduct phishing attacks, steal user credentials, or distribute malware, which could result in reputational damage and financial loss.
The blast radius of this vulnerability can extend beyond individual users, potentially affecting multiple users and systems if not properly mitigated. Organizations must assess the urgency of addressing this vulnerability based on its medium CVSS score and the potential for exploitation.
Based on the KEV and EPSS data, the vulnerability is not actively exploited in the wild, which provides a window for organizations to prioritize remediation efforts. However, organizations should remain cautious and vigilant as attackers frequently search for unpatched vulnerabilities to exploit.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected version of the manikandan580 School-management-system is version 1.0. Organizations using this version should take immediate action to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations are encouraged to apply patches and updates as they become available. If a patch is not available, consider implementing input validation and output encoding to prevent injection attacks. Network controls, such as web application firewalls, can also help mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
For more information on validating remediation strategies, organizations should consider engaging in penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual behavior, particularly around the contact-us page. Look for unexpected POST requests and unusual patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-65136 highlights the need for robust security practices in web applications. This vulnerability represents a common attack vector that can lead to severe consequences if left unaddressed.
Security teams should take this incident as a reminder to review their input validation mechanisms. Strengthening defenses against XSS vulnerabilities should be a priority.
For more strategic insights, organizations can explore our resources on vulnerability management programs and best practices for API security testing to enhance overall security posture.
Additionally, organizations should consider the importance of regular web application penetration testing to identify and remediate vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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