CVE-2025-34318 in IPFire
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2025
IPFire versions prior to 2.29 (Core Update 198) contain a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability that allows an authenticated attacker to inject arbitrary JavaScript code through the TLS_HOSTNAME, UPSTREAM_USER, UPSTREAM_PASSWORD, ADMIN_MAIL_ADDRESS, and ADMIN_PASSWORD parameters when adding a new DNS entry. When a user adds a DNS entry, the application issues an HTTP POST request to /cgi-bin/dns.cgi and these values are provided in the corresponding parameters. The values are stored and later rendered in the web interface without proper sanitation or encoding, allowing injected scripts to execute in the context of other users who view the affected DNS configuration.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2025
This vulnerability resides in IPFire versions prior to 2.29 Core Update 198 and represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that compromises the integrity of the web-based administration interface. The vulnerability affects the DNS management functionality where administrators can add new DNS entries through a web form that submits data to the /cgi-bin/dns.cgi endpoint via HTTP POST requests. The flaw specifically targets five parameters including TLS_HOSTNAME, UPSTREAM_USER, UPSTREAM_PASSWORD, ADMIN_MAIL_ADDRESS, and ADMIN_PASSWORD, all of which are processed without adequate input validation or output encoding mechanisms. This stored XSS vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with access to the administrative interface to inject malicious JavaScript code that persists in the application's database and executes whenever other users view the affected DNS configuration pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as the improper handling of untrusted data within a web application's user interface. The flaw operates through a classic stored XSS attack pattern where malicious input is first accepted and stored by the application's backend, then later retrieved and rendered in the browser context of other users without proper sanitization. When administrators or other users navigate to the DNS configuration pages, the malicious JavaScript code embedded in the stored parameters executes in their browser context, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the compromised system. The vulnerability's authentication requirement reduces its attack surface but does not eliminate the risk since administrators with legitimate access can be targeted through social engineering or compromised credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it creates a persistent backdoor within the network security appliance. An attacker who gains administrative access can inject malicious scripts that monitor user interactions, capture form submissions, or redirect users to malicious sites. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious code remains active until manually removed from the database, potentially allowing for long-term persistence within the network infrastructure. This threat is particularly concerning for IPFire appliances which serve as network security gateways, as compromised administrative interfaces can lead to complete network infiltration. The vulnerability affects the core DNS management functionality, which is frequently accessed by network administrators, making it a high-value target for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of IPFire Core Update 198 which addresses the input validation and output encoding deficiencies. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in administrative interfaces where sensitive configuration data is stored. The solution must include proper HTML encoding of all output rendered in web interfaces to prevent JavaScript execution in browser contexts. Network administrators should also implement additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication, regular security audits of administrative interfaces, and monitoring for unusual administrative activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework, where proper sanitization of user inputs represents a fundamental security control that prevents many common web application vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular penetration testing to identify similar issues in other network security appliances.