CVE-2025-4957 in ProfileGrid Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/26/2025
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Metagauss ProfileGrid allows Reflected XSS. This issue affects ProfileGrid : from n/a through 5.9.5.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-4957 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Metagauss ProfileGrid plugin, specifically targeting versions ranging from an unspecified initial version through 5.9.5.7. This reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability arises from inadequate input sanitization during web page generation processes, creating a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability operates by failing to properly neutralize user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content, thereby enabling attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the victim's browser context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's insufficient validation and sanitization of parameters received through HTTP requests, particularly those related to user profile data and configuration settings. When ProfileGrid processes incoming requests containing potentially malicious input, it fails to adequately escape or encode special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This improper handling creates an attack surface where reflected XSS can occur, allowing attackers to craft malicious URLs that, when clicked by victims, execute malicious scripts in their browsers. The vulnerability specifically affects the web page generation phase, where user input is directly incorporated into the HTML output without proper security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious websites. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by crafting specially formatted URLs that, when visited by authenticated users, would execute scripts that steal session cookies or submit data to attacker-controlled servers. The reflected nature of this XSS means that the malicious payload is typically embedded within the URL parameters and reflected back to the user's browser without being stored on the server, making it particularly difficult to detect and mitigate through traditional server-side defenses.
Organizations utilizing ProfileGrid versions within the affected range face significant security risks, as this vulnerability can be exploited by attackers without requiring any special privileges or authentication. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links. The impact is particularly severe in environments where ProfileGrid is used for user profile management, as authenticated users with administrative privileges could be targeted to gain elevated access to the system. Security teams should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority remediation item given its potential for enabling further attacks within the compromised environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding measures, with the most effective approach being the upgrade to the latest version of ProfileGrid where this vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities and employ web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns. Additionally, regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application ecosystem. The remediation process should also include user education regarding the dangers of clicking suspicious links and the importance of maintaining updated software versions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.