CVE-2025-52485 in Dnn.Platform
Summary
by MITRE • 06/21/2025
DNN (formerly DotNetNuke) is an open-source web content management platform (CMS) in the Microsoft ecosystem. In versions 6.0.0 to before 10.0.1, DNN.PLATFORM allows a specially crafted request to inject scripts in the Activity Feed Attachments endpoint which will then render in the feed. This issue has been patched in version 10.0.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-52485 affects DNN Platform, formerly known as DotNetNuke, a widely-used open-source web content management system within the Microsoft ecosystem. This security flaw exists in versions ranging from 6.0.0 through all versions prior to 10.0.1, representing a significant concern for organizations relying on this platform for their web content management needs. The vulnerability specifically targets the Activity Feed Attachments endpoint, which serves as a critical component for user engagement and content sharing within the platform. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate the system's response handling through carefully crafted requests that introduce malicious script content into the activity feed system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the Activity Feed Attachments endpoint. When users submit requests containing specially crafted payloads, the system fails to properly sanitize or encode the input data before rendering it in the activity feed. This creates a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability where malicious scripts can be injected and subsequently executed within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability manifests when the platform processes attachment data and renders it in the user interface, allowing attackers to inject JavaScript or other malicious code that persists in the feed. This behavior aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a critical security flaw in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a vector for more sophisticated attacks within the DNN environment. Once an attacker successfully injects malicious scripts into the activity feed, they can potentially exploit this to perform actions such as stealing user session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or executing unauthorized operations within the platform. The vulnerability's persistence in the feed system means that the malicious content can affect multiple users over time, amplifying the potential damage. This type of vulnerability can also serve as a stepping stone for more advanced attacks, as it allows threat actors to establish a foothold within the platform where they can monitor user activities or manipulate content. The issue has been classified under the ATT&CK framework as a technique for code injection, specifically targeting web application interfaces where user-generated content is processed and displayed.
Organizations utilizing DNN Platform versions between 6.0.0 and 10.0.0 should immediately implement the available patch provided in version 10.0.1 to remediate this vulnerability. The patch addresses the core input validation issues by implementing proper sanitization and encoding mechanisms for all user-supplied data in the Activity Feed Attachments endpoint. Security teams should also consider implementing additional monitoring for unusual activity patterns in the activity feed system, as well as conducting thorough audits of existing feed content to identify any potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts, while also ensuring that the patch deployment follows proper change management procedures to avoid service disruptions. Regular security assessments of the platform's input handling mechanisms should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the system.