Overview
CVE-2025-63848 describes a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in SWISH Prolog versions up to and including 2.2.0. This vulnerability allows an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code into the Web IDE notebooks, which can then be executed in the browsers of other users who access the affected notebook. This could lead to account compromise, data theft, or other malicious activities.
Technical Details
The vulnerability resides in the way SWISH Prolog handles user-supplied input within the web IDE notebook functionality. Specifically, unsanitized input is stored and later rendered without proper encoding. An attacker can craft a malicious notebook containing JavaScript code, which, when viewed by another user, will execute within their browser session. The crafted payload can be injected into various notebook fields, exploiting the lack of sufficient input validation and output encoding.
CVSS Analysis
Currently, the CVSS score for CVE-2025-63848 is not available (N/A). However, given that it is a stored XSS vulnerability, it poses a significant security risk. The potential for persistent compromise and the wide range of possible attacks make this a high-priority vulnerability to address.
Possible Impact
The impact of CVE-2025-63848 could be severe. A successful exploit could allow an attacker to:
- Steal user session cookies, potentially leading to account takeover.
- Deface the SWISH Prolog interface or redirect users to malicious websites.
- Execute arbitrary code within the user’s browser, potentially gaining access to sensitive data.
- Distribute malware to users accessing the compromised notebook.
Mitigation or Patch Steps
To mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2025-63848, it is highly recommended to take the following steps:
- Upgrade SWISH Prolog: Upgrade to a version later than 2.2.0, if a patched version is available. Monitor the SWI-Prolog GitHub repository for official patches and updates.
- Input Validation and Output Encoding: Implement robust input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks. Sanitize all user-supplied input before storing it and encode output before rendering it in the browser.
- Content Security Policy (CSP): Implement a strict Content Security Policy (CSP) to restrict the sources from which the browser can load resources, effectively mitigating the impact of XSS attacks.
- Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address potential vulnerabilities in your SWISH Prolog deployment.
References
SWI-Prolog GitHub Repository
CVE-2025-63848 Proof of Concept
