CVE-2025-52487 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 7.0.0 to before 10.0.1, DNN.PLATFORM allows a specially crafted request or proxy to be created that could bypass the design of DNN Login IP Filters allowing login attempts from IP Addresses not in the allow list. 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-2025-52487 affects DNN Platform versions 7.0.0 through 10.0.0, representing a critical security flaw in the web content management system's authentication mechanism. This issue specifically targets the implementation of IP address filtering controls designed to restrict login attempts to authorized network locations. The vulnerability enables attackers to circumvent the intended access controls that should prevent unauthorized login attempts from IP addresses not explicitly permitted in the system's configuration. The flaw exists within the platform's authentication flow where the system fails to properly validate the originating IP address when processing login requests, particularly those routed through proxy servers or crafted HTTP requests that may contain misleading or manipulated source address information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of the client IP address during the authentication process. When DNN Platform processes login requests, it relies on the X-Forwarded-For header or similar proxy headers to determine the originating IP address for access control decisions. However, the system does not properly sanitize or verify these headers, allowing malicious actors to craft requests that appear to originate from authorized IP addresses while actually being generated from unauthorized locations. This bypass mechanism operates at the network layer where proxy configurations are not properly enforced or validated, creating a pathway for unauthorized access attempts that should have been blocked by the IP filter configuration. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it directly undermines the principle of least privilege and network segmentation that organizations rely on for protecting their web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access attempts, as it creates potential for credential stuffing attacks, brute force attempts, and lateral movement within compromised networks. Attackers can exploit this flaw to systematically test login credentials from unauthorized IP addresses, effectively nullifying the protective measures that administrators have implemented through IP filtering. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on IP-based access controls for their DNN installations, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized administrative access to content management systems. The implications are severe as it enables attackers to bypass network-level security controls that are typically implemented as the first line of defense against unauthorized access attempts. Organizations using DNN Platform in environments where network segmentation is critical for security posture may find their defenses significantly weakened by this vulnerability, as it allows for access from locations that should have been explicitly denied.
Security practitioners should immediately implement the patch available in DNN Platform version 10.0.1, which addresses this vulnerability by strengthening the validation of IP address information during authentication requests. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive audits of their IP filtering configurations to ensure that all instances of DNN Platform are properly updated and that additional security controls are implemented. The mitigation strategy should include monitoring for suspicious login attempts, implementing multi-factor authentication as an additional security layer, and reviewing proxy configurations to ensure that header validation is properly enforced. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a specific implementation weakness in the authentication flow that violates fundamental security principles. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability would be categorized under the privilege escalation and initial access phases of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically targeting the authentication and credential access domains where attackers seek to bypass access controls and establish unauthorized access to target systems.