Overview
A concerning stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-41079, has been discovered in Seafile version 12.0.10. This vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code into the system, which can then be executed in the browsers of other Seafile users. This can lead to account compromise, data theft, and other serious security breaches. This article provides a detailed analysis of the vulnerability, its potential impact, and steps to mitigate the risk.
Technical Details
CVE-2025-41079 is a stored XSS vulnerability located within the Seafile API. Specifically, the vulnerability lies in the handling of the name parameter within the /api/v2.1/user/ endpoint. An attacker can inject malicious JavaScript code within this parameter using a PUT request. Because the injected code is stored on the server, every time a user interacts with the affected data, the malicious script will be executed in their browser.
The attack vector involves crafting a malicious payload and submitting it through the vulnerable API endpoint. For example, a payload like <script>alert('XSS')</script> can be injected. When a legitimate user interacts with the user data containing this malicious payload, the JavaScript code will execute in their browser context.
CVSS Analysis
Currently, a CVSS score for CVE-2025-41079 is not available (N/A). However, due to the nature of stored XSS vulnerabilities, its severity is considered high. The lack of an official score doesn’t diminish the potential damage this flaw can cause.
Possible Impact
The successful exploitation of CVE-2025-41079 can have severe consequences:
- Account Compromise: An attacker could steal user session cookies and impersonate legitimate users, gaining access to sensitive data and functionalities.
- Data Theft: Malicious scripts can be used to exfiltrate sensitive data stored within the Seafile instance.
- Malware Distribution: The injected script could redirect users to malicious websites or trigger the download of malware.
- Defacement: The attacker could modify the appearance of the Seafile interface, causing confusion and distrust among users.
Mitigation or Patch Steps
To mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2025-41079, the following steps are recommended:
- Upgrade Seafile: Upgrade your Seafile instance to a patched version as soon as it becomes available. Monitor the Seafile official website and community forums for announcements regarding security updates.
- Input Validation: Implement robust input validation on the server-side, specifically for the
nameparameter in the/api/v2.1/user/endpoint. Sanitize all user-supplied input to remove or escape potentially malicious characters. - Web Application Firewall (WAF): Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to filter out malicious requests targeting the vulnerable endpoint. Configure the WAF with rules that detect and block common XSS payloads.
- Content Security Policy (CSP): Implement a Content Security Policy (CSP) to restrict the sources from which the browser can load resources. This can help prevent the execution of injected JavaScript code.
- User Awareness Training: Educate users about the risks of clicking on suspicious links or interacting with untrusted content within the Seafile environment.
