CVE-2025-25287 is a medium-severity stored cross-site scripting vulnerability affecting the Lakeus skin for MediaWiki. This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit improperly handled system messages to send raw HTML, potentially affecting all users if the server is configured to link back to the repository. The vulnerability exists in versions prior to 1.3.1+REL1.39, 1.3.1+REL1.42, and 1.4.0, which have been patched.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 4.7, indicating a medium severity level, which signifies that organizations should address it in their priority patch cycle. The risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive information through cross-site scripting attacks. Organizations are urged to prioritize patching to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
As of now, there are no confirmed public exploits available for this vulnerability, and it is not listed in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. However, given the nature of the vulnerability and its potential impact, organizations should remain vigilant and monitor for any developments.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to safeguard against potential exploitation. The urgency to remediate this vulnerability cannot be understated, especially in environments using the affected versions of Lakeus.
Vulnerability Details
The official description for CVE-2025-25287 states that the Lakeus skin for MediaWiki is vulnerable to stored cross-site scripting via malicious system messages. The vulnerability is present in versions starting from 1.0.8 and prior to versions 1.3.1+REL1.39, 1.3.1+REL1.42, and 1.4.0, which include patches to address this issue. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, indicating improper handling of input in the context of web applications.
The CVSS score of 4.7 signifies a medium severity level, with an attack vector of NETWORK and a low attack complexity. It requires high privileges and does not require user interaction, which increases its risk profile. The impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all rated as low.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of the vulnerability lies in the improper handling of system messages within the Lakeus skin. Attackers who possess high privileges can edit these messages to inject raw HTML, leading to stored cross-site scripting attacks. The attack vector is via network interactions, and because it requires high privileges to exploit, it is limited to users who have the appropriate rights to edit the system messages.
In terms of attack complexity, it is rated as low, indicating that once an attacker has the requisite privileges, exploitation can occur with relative ease. User interaction is not necessary, further compounding the risk. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are rated as low, meaning while the effects may not be catastrophic, they can nonetheless compromise the application’s security.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The deployment risk associated with CVE-2025-25287 is significant, particularly for organizations using the affected versions of the Lakeus skin. The potential for stored cross-site scripting attacks poses a direct threat to user security and data integrity. If exploited, attackers may be able to execute scripts in the context of users’ sessions, leading to unauthorized access and data theft.
Organizations should assess the real-world impact of this vulnerability, considering the blast radius it may have on their user base. Given the CVSS score of 4.7, it is recommended that organizations schedule remediation as part of their priority patch cycle, ensuring that they address this vulnerability promptly.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of Lakeus include 1.0.8 through 1.3.1+REL1.39, 1.3.1+REL1.42, and 1.4.0. Organizations using any of these versions should prioritize patching to the latest versions that address this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the patches provided in the latest versions of Lakeus to remediate this vulnerability. If a patch is not available, organizations should implement configuration hardening measures to limit the ability of users to edit system messages unless necessary.
Monitoring for unusual activity related to system message editing should also be part of the security posture to detect any attempts to exploit this vulnerability. For continuous improvement, organizations may consider engaging in continuous security testing to validate the security of their MediaWiki installations.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor log files for suspicious changes to system messages, particularly those made by users with (editinterface) rights. Behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected script executions within user sessions, should also be tracked.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2025-25287 signifies a continuing trend in vulnerabilities related to improper input handling in web applications. Security teams should learn from this incident by implementing rigorous input validation and sanitization measures across all web applications.
The low EPSS score of 0.0011 indicates a low probability of exploitation, but the possibility still exists. Security teams should remain vigilant and ensure that they have effective monitoring in place to detect any attempts at exploitation.
For further insights into application security, organizations can refer to resources on vulnerability management programs and comprehensive penetration testing methodology to strengthen their defenses against similar vulnerabilities.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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