CVE-2025-26537 in GDPR Tools Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/26/2025
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in NotFound GDPR Tools allows Stored XSS. This issue affects GDPR Tools: from n/a through 1.0.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2025
This cross-site scripting vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the NotFound GDPR Tools web application that enables persistent malicious code execution through user input fields. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms during web page generation processes, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist across user sessions. The flaw specifically affects versions ranging from n/a through 1.0.2, indicating a long-standing issue that has not been adequately addressed in the product's development lifecycle. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation as a fundamental web application security weakness.
The technical implementation of this stored cross-site scripting vulnerability occurs when user-supplied data is directly incorporated into dynamically generated web pages without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this by submitting malicious payloads through forms, comment fields, or other input vectors that are then stored in the application's database or session storage. When other users view the affected content, their browsers execute the injected scripts within their security context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The persistence aspect of this vulnerability means that the malicious code remains active until explicitly removed by administrators, making it particularly dangerous for sustained attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exfiltration as it provides attackers with persistent access to user sessions and potentially sensitive personal data that the GDPR Tools application is designed to protect. Organizations using these tools may experience unauthorized access to user information, leading to compliance violations under GDPR regulations and potential legal consequences. The stored nature of the XSS allows attackers to maintain access even after their initial exploitation, creating a foothold for more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation or data manipulation within the application's environment. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of personal data processing activities that the tools are specifically designed to manage.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data flow processes, with particular emphasis on sanitizing all user-supplied content before storage or display. Organizations must enforce strict content security policies and implement proper escape sequences for dynamic content generation to prevent script execution in browser contexts. Regular security testing including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in the application's architecture. The remediation process should involve updating the affected versions to patched releases that address the specific XSS vulnerability, while also implementing comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should review their incident response procedures to ensure they can effectively respond to and contain XSS-related security incidents.
This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which covers "Modify Existing Service" and T1071.004 which addresses "Application Layer Protocol: DNS" but more specifically relates to T1213.002 for "Data from Information Repositories" as attackers can leverage XSS to access stored data within the application's database. The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates how insufficient input validation creates persistent security risks that can compromise entire user sessions and sensitive data processing workflows that organizations rely on for compliance with data protection regulations.