CVE-2025-11289 in CicadasCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/05/2025
A vulnerability was determined in westboy CicadasCMS up to 2431154dac8d0735e04f1fd2a3c3556668fc8dab. The impacted element is the function Save of the file src/main/java/com/zhiliao/common/template/TemplateFileServiceImpl.java of the component Template Management Page. This manipulation causes cross site scripting. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been publicly disclosed and may be utilized.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2026
CVE-2025-11289 represents a cross site scripting vulnerability within the westboy CicadasCMS platform, specifically targeting the TemplateFileServiceImpl.java component. This vulnerability exists in the Save function of the Template Management Page functionality, where improper input validation and output encoding mechanisms fail to sanitize user-supplied data before processing. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into template files that are subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsers when they access these compromised templates. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates within a content management system's template management interface, which is frequently accessed by administrators and content creators who may inadvertently execute malicious payloads when saving template modifications. The vulnerability has been publicly disclosed and is actively exploitable, making it a critical security concern for all systems running affected versions of CicadasCMS.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows the typical XSS attack pattern where an attacker crafts malicious input containing script code within template parameters or file contents. When the Save function processes this input without proper sanitization, the malicious script becomes embedded within the template file and executes when other users view or interact with the affected template. This vulnerability manifests as a persistent XSS issue since the malicious code is stored server-side and can affect multiple users over time. The attack vector is remote and requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the template management interface. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental web application security weakness that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. This weakness is classified under the OWASP Top Ten as a critical security risk, specifically categorized as injection flaws that can lead to session hijacking, data theft, and complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-11289 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, and manipulate content displayed to other users. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to redirect users to malicious websites, steal cookies and session tokens, or even inject additional malicious code that could lead to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of the content management system, potentially allowing attackers to modify or delete template files, alter content presentation, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information. Given that template management is a core administrative function, successful exploitation could enable attackers to establish persistent access to the system. The attack can be executed through various vectors including direct template file manipulation, parameter injection, or even social engineering techniques where attackers convince administrators to save malicious templates. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where administrators and content creators regularly interact with template management features, as it can be exploited to target high-privilege accounts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-11289 must focus on implementing robust input validation, output encoding, and secure template handling mechanisms. Organizations should immediately upgrade to the latest version of CicadasCMS where this vulnerability has been patched, as the vendor has likely released a security update addressing the improper input sanitization in the Save function. Implementing proper content security policies and strict input validation on all user-supplied data within template management interfaces is essential. The system should employ automatic escaping of special characters and implement a whitelist-based approach for template file processing. Security headers such as Content Security Policy should be configured to prevent script execution in template contexts. Regular security audits and penetration testing of template management components should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring for suspicious template modifications can help detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious template content attempts, while ensuring that all users have the minimum necessary privileges when interacting with template management features. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework as part of the web application attack surface emphasizes the need for comprehensive defensive measures including secure coding practices and regular vulnerability assessments.