CVE-2025-14836 identifies a vulnerability in ZZCMS version 2025, specifically within the User Data Storage Module implemented in the file /reg/user_save.php. The vulnerability stems from the system storing sensitive user data in cleartext on disk, which can be remotely exploited. The flaw does not require user interaction but does require some level of privileges (PR:H) to exploit, indicating that an attacker must have some authenticated access or elevated rights. The CVSS 4.0 vector (AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:L/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P) reflects a network attack vector with low attack complexity and no user interaction, but with a requirement for privileges. The impact is primarily on confidentiality (VC:L), with no integrity or availability impact. The vulnerability allows attackers to retrieve sensitive data stored in cleartext, increasing the risk of data leakage and potential further exploitation if sensitive credentials or personal information are exposed. Although no official patches or mitigations have been published yet, the exploit code is available publicly, increasing the urgency for affected users to implement protective measures. The vulnerability affects only version 2025 of ZZCMS, a content management system, which may be used by various organizations for web content management and user data handling.

For European organizations using ZZCMS 2025, this vulnerability poses a significant confidentiality risk as sensitive user data stored in cleartext can be accessed by attackers with some privileges. This could lead to data breaches involving personal information, credentials, or other sensitive content, potentially violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. The exposure of such data can damage organizational reputation, result in regulatory fines, and enable further attacks such as identity theft or lateral movement within networks. Sectors handling sensitive or regulated data—such as healthcare, finance, and government—are particularly at risk. The remote exploitability and availability of public exploit code increase the likelihood of attacks, especially if organizations have not implemented strict access controls or encryption for stored data. However, the requirement for some level of privileges reduces the risk of widespread exploitation by unauthenticated attackers. Overall, the vulnerability could lead to moderate to severe data confidentiality breaches impacting European entities.

European organizations should immediately audit their use of ZZCMS and identify any deployments of version 2025. Since no official patch is currently available, organizations should implement compensating controls: 1) Encrypt sensitive data at rest within the application or at the filesystem level to prevent cleartext exposure. 2) Restrict file system permissions on /reg/user_save.php and related storage files to limit access only to necessary system processes and administrators. 3) Implement strict access controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to the affected files. 4) Review and minimize user privileges to reduce the risk of privilege abuse. 5) Consider deploying web application firewalls (WAFs) to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the vulnerable endpoint. 6) Monitor threat intelligence sources for updates on patches or further exploit developments. 7) If feasible, upgrade to a non-affected version of ZZCMS once available or consider alternative CMS solutions with better security postures. These steps will help mitigate the risk until an official patch is released.