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 remotely manipulate this parameter to inject malicious JavaScript code, which is then executed in the context of the victim's browser when they interact with the affected web page. This type of vulnerability typically arises from insufficient input validation and improper output encoding, allowing untrusted input to be rendered directly in the HTML response. The attack vector is network accessible (AV:N), requires low attack complexity (AC:L), and does not require authentication (PR:L) but does require user interaction (UI:P), such as clicking a malicious link or visiting a compromised page. The vulnerability does not affect confidentiality or availability directly but impacts integrity and user trust by enabling script injection. Although no known exploits are currently active in the wild, the public release of exploit code increases the likelihood of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability has a CVSS 4.0 base score of 5.1, categorized as medium severity, reflecting moderate impact and ease of exploitation. No official patches have been released yet, and the vendor has not provided mitigation guidance. Organizations using this software should prioritize input sanitization and output encoding for the product_name parameter and monitor for suspicious activity.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-13202 on European organizations lies in the potential compromise of customer data and erosion of trust in online ordering platforms. Successful exploitation can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of legitimate users. For small to medium-sized cafes and restaurants relying on the Simple Cafe Ordering System, this could result in financial losses, regulatory penalties under GDPR if personal data is compromised, and reputational damage. Additionally, attackers could use the vulnerability to deliver malware or redirect users to phishing sites, amplifying the risk. The medium severity indicates that while the vulnerability is not critical, it poses a tangible threat especially in environments where the affected software is exposed to the internet without additional protective controls. The lack of authentication requirement lowers the barrier for attackers, increasing the risk to organizations that have not implemented compensating controls such as web application firewalls or content security policies. Given the widespread use of web-based ordering systems in Europe’s hospitality sector, the impact could be significant in localized contexts.

To mitigate CVE-2025-13202, organizations should implement strict input validation on the product_name parameter to ensure that only expected characters and formats are accepted. Employing output encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding before rendering user-supplied data in the web page is critical to prevent script execution. Web application firewalls (WAFs) can provide an additional layer of defense by detecting and blocking malicious payloads targeting this parameter. Monitoring web server logs for unusual requests to /add_to_cart and anomalous parameter values can help identify exploitation attempts early. Organizations should also educate users about the risks of clicking unknown links and consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts. Since no official patch is currently available, these compensating controls are essential. Finally, maintain an incident response plan to quickly address any detected exploitation and coordinate with the vendor for updates or patches.