CVE-2025-46041 in Anchor
Summary
by MITRE • 06/09/2025
A stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Anchor CMS v0.12.7 allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript via the page description field in the page creation interface (/admin/pages/add).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw in Anchor CMS version 0.12.7 that fundamentally undermines the security of the content management system. The issue arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the page creation interface, specifically in the description field where user-supplied content is directly stored in the database without proper security measures. When administrators or other users view pages containing maliciously crafted scripts, these payloads execute in the context of the victim's browser, potentially compromising user sessions and enabling unauthorized actions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or filter user input before persisting it to the database. CWE-79 provides the foundational classification for this type of vulnerability, specifically addressing improper neutralization of input during web page generation. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious JavaScript code within the page description field, which gets stored and subsequently executed whenever the page is rendered to other users. This stored nature makes the attack particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over time without requiring repeated exploitation attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, creating potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks within the CMS environment. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal administrator credentials, modify content, or redirect users to malicious sites. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a web application vulnerability that enables initial access and privilege escalation within the application's attack surface. Given that this affects the administrative interface, successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized content modification.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The recommended approach involves enforcing strict validation of all user inputs, particularly in administrative interfaces where sensitive operations occur. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution contexts, utilize proper HTML escaping for all dynamic content, and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious payloads. Regular security updates and patch management procedures are essential to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and monitoring administrative activities can help detect unauthorized modifications to content, while user education about recognizing and avoiding suspicious input patterns remains a critical defensive measure.