CVE-2025-15004 is a SQL injection vulnerability identified in DedeCMS, a popular content management system, specifically affecting versions up to 5.7.118. The vulnerability resides in the /freelist_main.php script, where the 'orderby' parameter is improperly sanitized, allowing an attacker to inject arbitrary SQL commands remotely. This injection can lead to unauthorized access or modification of database contents, potentially exposing sensitive information or corrupting data integrity. The attack vector requires no user authentication or interaction, increasing its risk profile. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 5.3 (medium), reflecting the ease of exploitation (network accessible, low attack complexity) but limited impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (low to partial). Although no public exploits are currently confirmed in the wild, the existence of publicly available exploit code increases the likelihood of future attacks. The vulnerability does not require special privileges, making it accessible to a wide range of attackers. Given DedeCMS's use in various web applications, this vulnerability could be leveraged to compromise websites, extract database contents, or disrupt service. The lack of official patches or updates at the time of publication necessitates immediate mitigation efforts by administrators.

For European organizations, exploitation of CVE-2025-15004 could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data stored in DedeCMS databases, including user information, content, and configuration details. Data integrity could be compromised by unauthorized modification or deletion of database records, potentially disrupting website functionality or trustworthiness. Availability impact is limited but possible if attackers execute commands that degrade database performance or cause errors. Organizations relying on DedeCMS for public-facing websites or internal portals may face reputational damage, regulatory compliance issues (e.g., GDPR violations due to data leakage), and operational disruptions. The medium severity suggests a moderate risk, but the ease of remote exploitation without authentication increases urgency. Attackers could use this vulnerability as a foothold for further network intrusion or lateral movement. European sectors such as media, education, and small-to-medium enterprises that commonly deploy DedeCMS are particularly vulnerable. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate future risk.

1. Immediately review and restrict access to the /freelist_main.php endpoint, applying web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious 'orderby' parameter manipulations. 2. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters, especially 'orderby', ensuring only expected values are accepted. 3. Employ parameterized queries or prepared statements in the backend code to prevent SQL injection. 4. Monitor web server and database logs for unusual query patterns or error messages indicative of injection attempts. 5. If possible, upgrade to a patched version of DedeCMS once available or apply vendor-provided security patches promptly. 6. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on injection vulnerabilities. 7. Limit database user privileges to the minimum necessary to reduce potential damage from exploitation. 8. Educate developers and administrators about secure coding practices and the risks of unsanitized input. 9. Consider deploying intrusion detection systems (IDS) that can identify SQL injection signatures. 10. Maintain an incident response plan to quickly address any detected exploitation attempts.