CVE-2025-14731 is a vulnerability identified in the CTCMS Content Management System, specifically affecting versions 2.1.0 through 2.1.2. The issue resides in the Frontend/Template Management Module, within the CT_Parser.php library, where improper neutralization of special elements used in the template engine occurs. This weakness allows an attacker to remotely manipulate template elements without requiring authentication or user interaction. The improper neutralization can lead to injection of malicious template code, which may result in unauthorized content rendering, data leakage, or potentially remote code execution depending on the template engine's capabilities and the context of the injection. The vulnerability has a CVSS 4.0 base score of 5.3, indicating a medium severity level, with an attack vector of network (remote), low attack complexity, no privileges or user interaction needed, and limited impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no active exploitation in the wild has been reported, a public exploit is available, increasing the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability affects the core template processing functionality, which is critical for the CMS's operation and content delivery. This flaw could be leveraged by attackers to compromise the integrity of websites running CTCMS, potentially defacing sites, injecting malicious scripts, or exfiltrating sensitive information. The lack of patches at the time of reporting necessitates immediate mitigation efforts by administrators.

For European organizations using CTCMS versions 2.1.0 to 2.1.2, this vulnerability poses a risk to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their web content and potentially underlying systems. Attackers exploiting this flaw could inject malicious templates or scripts, leading to website defacement, data leakage, or further compromise such as pivoting into internal networks. This could damage organizational reputation, lead to regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR breaches if personal data is exposed), and disrupt business operations. Given the remote attack vector and no requirement for authentication, the vulnerability is particularly concerning for public-facing web portals. Organizations in sectors with high reliance on web presence—such as government, finance, healthcare, and media—may face elevated risks. The availability of a public exploit increases the likelihood of opportunistic attacks, especially against unpatched systems. The medium severity rating suggests moderate impact, but the actual damage could escalate depending on the deployment context and attacker skill.

1. Monitor for official patches or updates from the CTCMS vendor and apply them promptly once available. 2. In the absence of patches, restrict access to the template management module by IP whitelisting or VPN-only access to reduce exposure. 3. Deploy web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious template injection patterns targeting CT_Parser.php. 4. Conduct thorough code reviews and input validation on any user-supplied data that interacts with the template engine to prevent injection. 5. Implement strict content security policies (CSP) to limit the impact of potential script injections. 6. Regularly audit CMS installations for unauthorized changes or suspicious template modifications. 7. Educate administrators about the risk and signs of exploitation to enable rapid incident response. 8. Consider isolating the CMS environment and limiting its privileges to contain potential breaches.