CVE-2025-41058 in CMF
Summary
by MITRE • 09/04/2025
A vulnerability has been discovered in appRain CMF version 4.0.5, consisting of a stored authenticated XSS due to a lack of proper validation of user input, through the 'data[Addon][layouts]' and 'data[Addon][layouts_except]' parameters in /apprain/developer/addons/update/row_manager.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2025
This vulnerability resides within appRain CMF version 4.0.5, specifically targeting the developer module's addon management functionality. The issue manifests as a stored cross-site scripting flaw that occurs when user input fails to undergo proper validation before being processed and stored within the application's database. The vulnerability is accessible through authenticated sessions and affects the row_manager endpoint within the addons update functionality, making it particularly concerning for administrators who regularly manage application extensions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization of the 'data[Addon][layouts]' and 'data[Addon][layouts_except]' parameters. These parameters are designed to accept configuration data for addon layouts, but the application fails to properly validate or escape user-supplied content before storing it in the database. When an authenticated user submits malicious payloads through these parameters, the data is stored without adequate filtering mechanisms. Subsequently, when other users access the affected functionality or view the stored data, the malicious scripts execute within their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a persistent vector for malicious activities within the application environment. Since the vulnerability is stored rather than reflected, the malicious code remains active until manually removed from the database, creating a long-term security risk. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious scripts that steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even execute arbitrary commands on the server if additional vulnerabilities exist. The authenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers must first obtain valid credentials, but once achieved, they can establish persistent malicious presence within the application's administrative interface.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic case of insufficient input validation leading to stored XSS conditions. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content, and T1059.001 for command and control through script execution. The attack chain typically begins with credential compromise followed by exploitation of this stored XSS to establish a foothold within the application's administrative environment, potentially leading to full system compromise. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and regular security auditing of web application components to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
The remediation approach requires immediate implementation of proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied data entering the application through the affected parameters. This includes implementing strict validation rules that reject or escape potentially malicious content before storage, combined with output encoding that prevents script execution when data is rendered to end users. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, while also conducting thorough code reviews to identify similar validation gaps in other application components. Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments should be maintained to prevent similar issues from emerging in future releases of the application.