Overview
CVE-2025-65956 details a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting Formwork, a flat file-based Content Management System (CMS). This vulnerability exists in versions prior to 2.2.0. By injecting unsanitized data into the blog tag field, an attacker can execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the browser of any Formwork CMS user who accesses or edits the compromised blog post. This persistent XSS vulnerability can severely impact privileged administrative workflows.
Technical Details
The vulnerability stems from the lack of proper input sanitization when processing data entered into the blog tag field within the Formwork CMS. An attacker with the necessary permissions (typically contributor or higher) can inject malicious JavaScript code into this field. When a user, including an administrator, subsequently views or edits the affected blog post, the injected script executes within their browser context. This allows the attacker to perform actions on behalf of the user, such as stealing cookies, modifying content, or escalating privileges.
CVSS Analysis
The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) score for CVE-2025-65956 is 6.5 (Medium). This score reflects the potential for significant impact and the relative ease of exploitation. The vulnerability’s persistence and potential to compromise administrative accounts contribute to its severity.
Possible Impact
Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-65956 can lead to several critical consequences:
- Account Compromise: An attacker could steal administrator credentials and gain full control over the Formwork CMS.
- Content Defacement: Malicious scripts can modify website content, leading to misinformation or reputational damage.
- Malware Distribution: The vulnerability could be used to inject malicious code that redirects users to phishing sites or installs malware on their systems.
- Data Theft: Sensitive data stored within the CMS or accessible through the user’s browser could be stolen.
Mitigation and Patch Steps
The recommended mitigation for CVE-2025-65956 is to upgrade Formwork CMS to version 2.2.0 or later. This version includes a patch that properly sanitizes user input in the blog tag field, preventing the injection of malicious JavaScript code. If upgrading is not immediately possible, consider implementing input validation and output encoding measures as a temporary workaround. However, upgrading remains the most effective solution.
