CVE-2025-52488 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 series of malicious interaction to potentially expose NTLM hashes to a third party SMB server. 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-2025-52488 affects DNN Platform versions 6.0.0 through 10.0.0, representing a significant security flaw within the Microsoft ecosystem web content management platform. This issue stems from improper handling of network authentication mechanisms during specific user interactions, creating an avenue for unauthorized credential exposure. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication flow within the platform's SMB (Server Message Block) protocol implementation, where malicious actors can manipulate the authentication sequence to capture sensitive NTLM (NT LAN Manager) hashes. These hashes contain critical authentication information that can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to systems and resources within the network infrastructure. The flaw exists in how DNN Platform processes certain network requests that involve SMB server interactions, allowing attackers to potentially intercept and reuse authentication credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves manipulating the authentication flow between the DNN Platform and external SMB servers through carefully crafted network interactions. When legitimate users or malicious actors initiate certain operations that require SMB authentication, the platform fails to properly validate or sanitize the authentication context. This allows an attacker positioned within the network or able to intercept traffic to present a malicious SMB server that can capture the NTLM hash information being transmitted during the authentication process. The vulnerability specifically leverages the NTLM authentication protocol's inherent weaknesses in credential handling, particularly when the system attempts to authenticate against external resources. This flaw can be exploited through various attack vectors including man-in-the-middle scenarios, network sniffing, or by hosting malicious SMB servers that respond to authentication requests with crafted responses designed to capture the hash information. The issue demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation and authentication flow management within the platform's network communication stack.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-52488 extends beyond simple credential theft, as NTLM hashes can be leveraged for lateral movement within networks and privilege escalation attacks. Once captured, these hashes can be used to authenticate to other systems within the same domain, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive data, administrative resources, or critical infrastructure components. The vulnerability affects organizations using DNN Platform versions within the specified range, creating potential exposure for any environment where users might interact with external SMB resources or where network traffic is not properly secured. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where DNN Platform is used for public-facing websites or internal collaboration platforms, as these systems often have elevated privileges and access to sensitive organizational data. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to content management systems, potential data breaches, and compromised user accounts that could lead to broader security incidents throughout the network infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for Valid Accounts and T1566.001 for Phishing, as it enables credential compromise that can lead to further exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-52488 primarily focus on upgrading to DNN Platform version 10.0.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the authentication flow issues. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to SMB services and restrict communication with external SMB servers where possible. Security controls should include monitoring for unusual authentication patterns, implementing network intrusion detection systems to identify potential malicious SMB server responses, and enforcing secure SMB configuration practices. Additional protective measures involve disabling unnecessary SMB authentication protocols, implementing proper network access controls, and ensuring that all systems within the DNN Platform environment are properly patched and updated. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments to identify any potential exposure from this vulnerability and establish monitoring procedures for detecting credential compromise attempts. The fix addresses the underlying CWE-287 issue related to improper authentication, specifically targeting the improper handling of authentication context during network interactions. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper authentication flow management and input validation in web applications, particularly those operating within complex network environments where authentication protocols are frequently utilized.