CVE-2025-14836 is a vulnerability identified in the ZZCMS content management system version 2025, specifically within the User Data Storage Module implemented in the /reg/user_save.php file. The flaw results in sensitive user data being stored in cleartext on disk, which can be remotely exploited by attackers with high privileges. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of user data storage, lacking encryption or adequate protection mechanisms. The CVSS 4.0 score of 5.1 reflects a medium severity, with an attack vector classified as network-based (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no authentication required (AT:N), but requiring high privileges (PR:H). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality (VC:L) but does not affect integrity or availability. Although no known exploits are currently active in the wild, the public availability of exploit code increases the risk of future attacks. This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user information, potentially facilitating further attacks such as identity theft or targeted phishing. The lack of user interaction needed for exploitation and the network attack vector increase the urgency for affected organizations to address this issue. The absence of patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate mitigation efforts to protect stored data and restrict access to vulnerable components.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-14836 is the potential exposure of sensitive user data stored by ZZCMS 2025 instances. This can lead to breaches of personal data, violating GDPR and other data protection regulations, resulting in legal and financial penalties. The confidentiality breach may also damage organizational reputation and erode customer trust. Since the vulnerability requires high privileges for exploitation, insider threats or compromised administrative accounts pose significant risks. Organizations relying on ZZCMS for managing user registrations, profiles, or other personal data are particularly vulnerable. The exposure of cleartext data could facilitate further attacks such as credential theft, social engineering, or lateral movement within networks. Additionally, the lack of integrity and availability impact limits the scope to data confidentiality, but the consequences of data leakage remain severe. European sectors with stringent data privacy requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and government, face heightened risks. The remote exploitation capability underscores the need for robust network security controls to prevent unauthorized access to administrative interfaces.

To mitigate CVE-2025-14836, organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Encrypt all sensitive user data at rest within ZZCMS, ensuring that data stored by /reg/user_save.php is protected using strong cryptographic standards. 2) Restrict file system permissions to limit access to user data files only to necessary system processes and administrators, minimizing exposure. 3) Harden administrative access by enforcing multi-factor authentication and limiting administrative privileges to reduce the risk of privilege escalation. 4) Monitor and audit access logs for unusual or unauthorized attempts to access the vulnerable module or stored data. 5) Isolate ZZCMS instances within segmented network zones to reduce the attack surface and prevent lateral movement. 6) Regularly update and patch ZZCMS as vendors release fixes for this vulnerability. 7) Conduct security assessments and penetration testing focused on user data storage and access controls. 8) Educate system administrators about the risks of cleartext data storage and best practices for secure configuration. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on encryption, access control, and monitoring specific to the vulnerability context.