CVE-2025-71260 in FootPrints
Summary
by MITRE • 03/19/2026
BMC FootPrints ITSM versions 20.20.02 through 20.24.01.001 contain a deserialization of untrusted data vulnerability in the ASP.NET servlet's VIEWSTATE handling that allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code. Attackers can supply crafted serialized objects to the VIEWSTATE parameter to achieve remote code execution and fully compromise the application. The following hotfixes remediate the vulnerability: 20.20.02, 20.20.03.002, 20.21.01.001, 20.21.02.002, 20.22.01, 20.22.01.001, 20.23.01, 20.23.01.002, and 20.24.01.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-71260 affects BMC FootPrints ITSM versions 20.20.02 through 20.24.01.001 and represents a critical deserialization flaw in the application's ASP.NET servlet implementation. This vulnerability specifically targets the VIEWSTATE parameter handling mechanism which is fundamental to ASP.NET web applications for maintaining state information between client and server interactions. The flaw exists within the application's deserialization process where untrusted data from the VIEWSTATE parameter is directly processed without adequate validation or sanitization, creating a pathway for malicious code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-502 which specifically addresses deserialization of untrusted data, a well-documented weakness that has been exploited in numerous high-profile attacks across various platforms. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which covers exploitation for privilege escalation through deserialization attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the inherent trust model within ASP.NET applications where VIEWSTATE values are expected to be valid and unaltered by users. When attackers supply crafted serialized objects through the VIEWSTATE parameter, the application's deserialization mechanism processes these objects without proper security checks, allowing malicious payloads to execute within the application context. This authenticated code execution scenario requires an attacker to have valid credentials to access the application, but once achieved, provides complete compromise of the targeted system. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it operates at the application layer, allowing attackers to potentially escalate privileges and gain access to sensitive data or system resources that the authenticated user normally cannot access. The attack vector leverages the application's normal operation flow, making detection more challenging as malicious activity can appear as legitimate user behavior.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential data breaches. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can execute arbitrary commands on the affected server, potentially leading to unauthorized access to databases, file systems, or other network resources. The vulnerability affects a range of BMC FootPrints ITSM versions, indicating it was likely introduced during a specific development cycle and affected multiple releases. Organizations running these vulnerable versions face significant risk as the attack requires only legitimate authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user access controls may be insufficient. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in persistent backdoors, data exfiltration, and system-wide compromise that may go undetected for extended periods. Security teams must consider this vulnerability as a potential entry point for advanced persistent threats that could leverage the compromised system as a foothold for further network infiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-71260 require immediate implementation of the provided hotfixes, which include versions 20.20.02, 20.20.03.002, 20.21.01.001, 20.21.02.002, 20.22.01, 20.22.01.001, 20.23.01, 20.23.01.002, and 20.24.01. Organizations should prioritize immediate patch deployment across all affected systems and conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to ensure complete remediation. Beyond patching, defensive measures should include network segmentation to limit access to affected applications, implementation of web application firewalls to monitor and filter VIEWSTATE parameters, and enhanced monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing additional authentication controls such as multi-factor authentication and privileged access management to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK tactic TA0001 which covers initial access, and defensive strategies should incorporate detection and response capabilities to identify potential exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to verify the effectiveness of implemented mitigations and to identify any additional vulnerabilities that may exist within the application infrastructure.