CVE-2024-25705 in Portal for ArcGIS
Summary
by MITRE • 04/04/2024
There is a cross‑site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Esri Portal for ArcGIS Experience Builder versions 11.1 and below on Windows and Linux that allows a remote, authenticated attacker with low‑privileged access to create a crafted link which, when clicked, could potentially execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the victim’s browser. Exploitation requires basic authenticated access but does not require elevated or administrative privileges, indicating low privileges are required.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-25705 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Esri Portal for ArcGIS Experience Builder versions 11.1 and earlier across both Windows and Linux operating systems. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of user input and rendering processes, specifically affecting the way the platform processes and displays user-generated content within its web interface. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject persistent or reflected JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers when they interact with specially crafted links. The vulnerability's severity is underscored by its accessibility to attackers with minimal privileges, as it does not require administrative or elevated access to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the platform. This characteristic aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as weaknesses that allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications viewed by other users. The attack vector specifically targets authenticated users who may inadvertently click on malicious links, potentially compromising the security of the entire user base within the portal environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Experience Builder component of Esri Portal for ArcGIS. When users create or interact with content within the platform, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages, creating opportunities for attackers to embed malicious JavaScript payloads. The flaw manifests when the application processes user-generated content without adequate context-aware encoding or filtering, allowing attackers to bypass security controls designed to prevent script execution. This particular vulnerability demonstrates how modern web applications can be compromised through seemingly benign user interaction points, as the malicious code injection occurs during the rendering phase of web content rather than during data processing or storage. The exploitation requires only basic authentication credentials, indicating that the vulnerability exists in the application's user-facing interface rather than in backend systems or administrative functions. Attackers can craft malicious URLs or content that, when viewed by other users, automatically executes JavaScript code within their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or further compromise of the affected system. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1566 for phishing attacks, as the vulnerability enables attackers to deliver malicious payloads through social engineering tactics.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-25705 extends beyond immediate script execution capabilities to potentially compromise entire user sessions and sensitive data within Esri Portal environments. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can perform session hijacking by stealing authentication tokens or cookies, effectively impersonating legitimate users and gaining access to restricted resources within the portal. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Esri Portal for ArcGIS serves as a central platform for geographic information system operations, potentially exposing sensitive spatial data, user credentials, and organizational information. Organizations using affected versions may experience unauthorized access to mapping applications, data manipulation, and privilege escalation opportunities that could lead to broader system compromise. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple operating systems indicates a fundamental flaw in the platform's security architecture rather than an isolated issue affecting specific deployment environments. This cross-platform nature increases the potential attack surface and makes the vulnerability more difficult to contain within specific system boundaries. The low privilege requirements for exploitation mean that even users with minimal access rights could potentially cause significant damage, as the vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution within user contexts, potentially enabling data theft, system disruption, or further reconnaissance activities. Organizations may face compliance issues if sensitive data is compromised through this vector, particularly in regulated industries where data protection and user privacy are paramount.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-25705 should prioritize immediate remediation through official patches provided by Esri, as the vendor has likely released security updates addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations must implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious script injection, particularly focusing on user-generated content handling within the Experience Builder component. Security teams should establish strict content filtering policies and employ automated scanning tools to identify and prevent the injection of potentially malicious code within the platform. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, ensuring that even if one user's session is compromised, the attacker cannot easily move laterally within the system. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the broader Esri Portal ecosystem and other web applications. The implementation of web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts, while user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding suspicious links and content from untrusted sources. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring and detection mechanisms to identify unusual user behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, leveraging security information and event management systems to track potential malicious activity within the portal environment. Given the vulnerability's alignment with CWE-79 and ATT&CK techniques, organizations should ensure their security measures align with established frameworks for preventing and detecting cross-site scripting attacks, including regular security training for developers and administrators to maintain awareness of common web application security flaws and their remediation strategies.