CVE-2025-13202 is a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the Simple Cafe Ordering System developed by code-projects. The vulnerability resides in the /add_to_cart endpoint, specifically in the handling of the product_name parameter. An attacker can craft malicious input that, when processed by the application, results in the injection and execution of arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of the victim's browser. This type of vulnerability is classified as reflected XSS, as the malicious payload is reflected off the server response without proper sanitization or encoding. The attack vector is remote and does not require prior authentication, but it does require user interaction, such as clicking a malicious link or visiting a compromised page that triggers the vulnerable parameter. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 5.1, indicating a medium severity level, with the vector string highlighting network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and user interaction needed. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality and integrity of user data by enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or phishing attacks. Availability is not affected. No official patches or fixes have been published yet, and no known exploits are confirmed in the wild, but the vulnerability details are public, increasing the risk of exploitation. The Simple Cafe Ordering System is likely used by small to medium-sized businesses in the hospitality sector, making these organizations potential targets. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications to prevent script injection attacks.

For European organizations, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the hospitality and retail sectors using the Simple Cafe Ordering System, this vulnerability poses a risk of client-side attacks that can lead to session hijacking, theft of sensitive customer data, and phishing. Such attacks can damage customer trust, lead to regulatory non-compliance under GDPR due to data exposure, and cause reputational harm. While the vulnerability does not directly impact system availability, the indirect effects of compromised user sessions or stolen credentials can disrupt business operations. The medium severity indicates moderate risk, but the ease of exploitation without authentication and the public disclosure increase the urgency for mitigation. Organizations relying on this software should be aware of the potential for attackers to exploit this flaw to target their customers or employees, especially in countries with high adoption of small business e-commerce solutions.

To mitigate CVE-2025-13202, organizations should implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data, particularly the product_name parameter in the /add_to_cart endpoint. Employing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can reduce the impact of any injected scripts. Until an official patch is released, consider applying web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block malicious payloads targeting this parameter. Regularly monitor web server logs for suspicious requests containing script tags or unusual input patterns. Educate staff and customers about the risks of clicking untrusted links. If possible, isolate or replace the vulnerable system with updated or alternative software that follows secure coding practices. Finally, maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from any successful exploitation.