CVE-2019-25396 in IPFire
Summary
by MITRE • 02/19/2026
IPFire 2.21 Core Update 127 contains a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability in the updatexlrator.cgi script that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts through POST parameters. Attackers can submit crafted requests with script payloads in the MAX_DISK_USAGE or MAX_DOWNLOAD_RATE parameters to execute arbitrary JavaScript in users' browsers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-25396 represents a critical reflected cross-site scripting flaw within IPFire version 2.21 Core Update 127. This security weakness resides in the updatexlrator.cgi script which processes user input without proper sanitization or validation. The vulnerability manifests when the web application fails to adequately filter or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content, creating an environment where malicious code can be executed in the context of legitimate users' browsers. The specific parameters MAX_DISK_USAGE and MAX_DOWNLOAD_RATE serve as attack vectors where crafted payloads can be submitted through POST requests to manipulate the application's behavior and inject harmful script content.
This reflected XSS vulnerability operates under the common weakness enumeration CWE-79 which categorizes the flaw as improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The attack scenario involves an attacker constructing malicious HTTP POST requests containing JavaScript code within the vulnerable parameters, which are then reflected back to users' browsers when the application processes these requests. The execution context of this vulnerability places the malicious code within the victim's browser session, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, modify page content, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires no authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators or users might be tricked into submitting crafted requests.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script execution to encompass broader security implications for IPFire network security appliances. An attacker could leverage this flaw to establish persistent access to the administration interface by stealing authentication tokens, or to manipulate firewall rules and network configurations through the compromised web interface. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload must be delivered to the victim through social engineering techniques such as phishing emails, compromised websites, or malicious links. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes social engineering methods used to gain initial access to systems. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the IPFire appliance's web management interface, potentially compromising the entire network security infrastructure that relies on proper firewall and intrusion prevention capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-25396 should prioritize immediate patch application from IPFire's official update channels to address the root cause of the vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit exposure of the affected appliance to untrusted networks, while also deploying web application firewalls or security monitoring solutions that can detect and block malicious payloads targeting XSS vulnerabilities. Input validation and output encoding should be strengthened across all web applications to prevent similar issues, with specific attention to sanitizing all user-supplied parameters before they are processed or rendered in web responses. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify additional vulnerabilities within network security appliances, while security awareness training should be implemented to reduce the risk of successful social engineering attacks that could exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should also include monitoring for any suspicious activity or unauthorized access attempts that might indicate exploitation attempts, and maintaining detailed logs of all administrative activities for forensic analysis purposes.