CVE-2025-28073 in phpList
Summary
by MITRE • 05/08/2025
phpList 3.6.3 is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) via the /lists/dl.php endpoint. An attacker can inject arbitrary JavaScript code by manipulating the id parameter, which is improperly sanitized.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-28073 affects phpList version 3.6.3 and represents a critical reflected cross-site scripting flaw that undermines the application's security posture. This vulnerability resides within the /lists/dl.php endpoint, which serves as a download handler for list-related content within the phpList system. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the id parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload must be crafted to appear in the URL or request parameters, and when a user clicks the malicious link or triggers the request, the server reflects the injected script back to the user's browser, executing it in the victim's context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the phpList application's download handler. When the id parameter is processed without proper sanitization, the application fails to implement appropriate security controls such as input filtering, parameter validation, or output encoding mechanisms. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into web page content without proper validation or encoding. The attack vector involves crafting a malicious URL containing JavaScript code within the id parameter, which when executed in a victim's browser can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires user interaction to be exploited, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently interact with email lists and download content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the phpList environment. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to steal administrator sessions, modify list configurations, or inject malicious content that propagates to other users within the system. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the phpList system, particularly impacting the trust model that users place in the email list management functionality. Organizations using phpList 3.6.3 may face unauthorized access to sensitive mailing list data, potential data exfiltration, and compromised user privacy. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can craft targeted payloads that appear legitimate to users, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation through social engineering techniques. This vulnerability represents a significant risk to email marketing operations and could result in reputational damage, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-28073 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected phpList version to the latest stable release that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms at the application level, specifically ensuring that all parameters passed to the download handler are properly sanitized before processing. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while input validation should enforce strict parameter constraints to prevent the injection of malicious payloads. Security measures should include regular security assessments of web applications, proper code review processes, and implementation of web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests. Organizations should also consider implementing proper session management controls, including secure cookie attributes and session timeout mechanisms to limit the impact of potential session hijacking attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of adhering to secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly focusing on prevention of injection flaws and maintaining secure application configurations. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the email marketing infrastructure.