CVE-2025-52486 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 specially crafted content in URLs to be used with TokenReplace and not be properly sanitized by some SkinObjects. This issue has been patched in version 10.0.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2025-52486 affects DNN PLATFORM versions 6.0.0 through 10.0.0, representing a significant security flaw in the widely used Microsoft-based open-source content management system. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the TokenReplace functionality, which is a core component responsible for processing dynamic content within the platform's skin objects. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious content through specially crafted URLs that bypass standard sanitization mechanisms, creating a potential vector for various malicious activities within the CMS environment.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of user-supplied data within URL parameters that get processed by the TokenReplace engine. When skin objects process these parameters, they fail to adequately sanitize the input before rendering, allowing potentially harmful content to be executed within the context of the web application. This represents a classic case of insufficient input sanitization that can lead to cross-site scripting attacks, where malicious scripts could be injected and executed in the browser of unsuspecting users. The vulnerability specifically impacts the platform's skin objects, which are responsible for rendering the user interface elements and can be manipulated to execute arbitrary code or redirect users to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple XSS attacks, as it could potentially enable attackers to escalate privileges within the CMS environment or gain unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions. Given that DNN PLATFORM is commonly used for enterprise web applications, the exploitation of this vulnerability could compromise entire websites and their associated data. The vulnerability affects multiple versions within the 6.0.0 to 10.0.0 range, indicating a prolonged period during which organizations were exposed to this risk without proper mitigation. Security researchers have categorized this issue under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection attacks. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions suggests that organizations running older DNN installations may have been continuously exposed to this risk without awareness of the need for immediate patching.
Organizations should prioritize immediate upgrading to DNN PLATFORM version 10.0.1 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as the patch addresses the core sanitization issue within the TokenReplace functionality. Additional mitigations should include implementing robust input validation at multiple layers within the application, deploying web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious URL patterns, and conducting thorough security assessments of existing skin objects to identify potential injection points. Security teams should also consider implementing content security policies to limit script execution capabilities and monitor for anomalous user behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches in CMS platforms, as the attack surface expands with each unpatched version, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access to web applications.