CVE-2025-41391 in PowerCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/31/2025
Stored cross-site scripting vulnerability exists in multiple versions of PowerCMS. If a product user accesses a malicious page, an arbitrary script may be executed on the browser.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2025
The stored cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-41391 represents a critical security flaw within multiple versions of PowerCMS, a content management system widely deployed in enterprise and organizational environments. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's data handling processes, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can inject persistent malicious scripts into the system's database. The flaw manifests when legitimate users interact with compromised content, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages the trust relationship between the user and the application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to store malicious scripts within the PowerCMS database through various input vectors including user comments, product descriptions, or administrative content fields. When other users access pages containing this stored malicious content, the scripts execute within their browser context, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of the victim. This stored nature distinguishes the vulnerability from reflected XSS attacks, as the malicious code persists in the system and affects multiple users over time rather than requiring specific user interaction with a crafted URL.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-41391 extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling full account compromise and privilege escalation within the PowerCMS environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, harvest sensitive user data, manipulate content, or use stolen session tokens to assume administrative privileges. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions suggests a fundamental architectural weakness in the application's security design, making it particularly concerning for organizations maintaining legacy systems. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1531 (Establishment of Persistence) and T1566 (Phishing) techniques, as it enables both persistent access and user deception through malicious content delivery.
Organizations utilizing PowerCMS must implement immediate mitigations including comprehensive input sanitization, output encoding, and strict content validation mechanisms. The CWE database categorizes this vulnerability under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting flaws, with the stored variant being particularly severe due to its persistence characteristics. Security measures should include regular security audits, web application firewalls, and mandatory security updates to address the underlying vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and user privilege management can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments in content management systems, particularly those handling user-generated content. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers and regular security training for administrators to recognize and respond to potential exploitation attempts.