CVE-2025-43770 in Liferay
Summary
by MITRE • 08/23/2025
A reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Liferay Portal 7.4.0 through 7.4.3.131, and Liferay DXP 2024.Q4.0 through 2024.Q4.3, 2024.Q3.1 through 2024.Q3.13, 2024.Q2.0 through 2024.Q2.13, 2024.Q1.1 through 2024.Q1.12 and 7.4 GA through update 92 allows an remote non-authenticated attacker to inject JavaScript into the referer or FORWARD_URL using %00 in those parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2025
This reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the Liferay Portal and Liferay DXP platforms, affecting multiple version ranges including 7.4.0 through 7.4.3.131 and various 2024 quarterly releases. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes HTTP referer headers or FORWARD_URL parameters that contain null byte sequences encoded as %00. This vulnerability represents a critical security risk as it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser without requiring authentication. The exploitation occurs through the manipulation of HTTP headers or URL parameters that are reflected back to users without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the web application's parameter handling routines. When the system processes parameters containing null byte sequences, it fails to properly sanitize these inputs before rendering them in the browser context. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript payloads that will execute whenever a victim accesses the affected page. The use of %00 encoding specifically targets the way certain web servers and application frameworks process null bytes in HTTP parameters, creating a vector where attackers can bypass traditional input validation measures that may not account for null byte sequences in parameter values.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. Attackers can craft payloads that steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even modify the content of the vulnerable application's pages. The reflected nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious script is executed immediately upon page load, making it particularly dangerous for user interactions. This vulnerability specifically targets the referer header and FORWARD_URL parameters, which are commonly used in web applications for tracking user navigation and managing application flow, making it a prime target for exploitation in web-based attack scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding controls within the affected applications. Organizations should ensure that all HTTP headers and URL parameters are properly sanitized before being rendered in browser contexts, with particular attention to null byte sequences and other special characters. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed. Updates to the affected Liferay versions should be prioritized, with patch management procedures established to prevent similar vulnerabilities from arising in the future. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in referer headers and URL parameters that may indicate attempted exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1531 which covers the use of malicious scripts in web applications, highlighting the importance of comprehensive web application security controls and regular vulnerability assessments.