CVE-2025-15153 identifies a security weakness in PbootCMS, a content management system widely used for website management, specifically in versions 3.2.0 through 3.2.12. The vulnerability arises from improper access controls or insufficient protection mechanisms around the SQLite database file located at /data/pbootcms.db. This file likely contains critical CMS data, and the flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate requests to access files or directories that should be restricted. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), but the attack complexity is high (AC:H), indicating that exploitation requires advanced skills or specific conditions. No privileges or user interaction are needed, which increases the risk if the attacker can overcome the complexity barrier. The CVSS 4.0 score of 6.3 reflects a medium severity, primarily due to the confidentiality impact (VC:L) without affecting integrity or availability. The vulnerability does not require authentication, making it accessible to unauthenticated remote attackers. Although no active exploitation has been reported, public exploit code availability increases the risk of future attacks. The recommended mitigation involves modifying configuration settings to restrict access to the database file and potentially applying patches once available. This vulnerability underscores the importance of securing backend database files in CMS deployments to prevent unauthorized data exposure.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized access to sensitive files and directories within PbootCMS installations, potentially exposing confidential business data, user information, or internal configurations. Such exposure could lead to data breaches, reputational damage, and compliance violations under GDPR and other data protection regulations. The medium severity indicates that while the vulnerability does not directly compromise system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach alone can have significant consequences, especially for organizations handling personal or financial data. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain insights into the CMS structure, facilitating further attacks or lateral movement. The complexity of exploitation reduces the likelihood of widespread automated attacks but does not eliminate targeted threats, particularly against high-value European targets such as government portals, financial institutions, or critical infrastructure managed via PbootCMS. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently limits immediate impact but the public availability of exploit code necessitates proactive defenses.

European organizations should immediately audit their PbootCMS installations to identify affected versions (3.2.0 to 3.2.12). Until official patches are released, administrators should harden configuration settings to restrict access to the /data/pbootcms.db file, ensuring it is not accessible via the web server or unauthorized users. This can include implementing strict file system permissions, disabling directory listing, and using web server rules (e.g., .htaccess or equivalent) to block external access to database files. Network-level controls such as firewalls and web application firewalls (WAFs) should be configured to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the database file. Monitoring logs for unusual access patterns related to this file is critical for early detection. Organizations should also plan for timely patch deployment once vendor updates become available. Additionally, conducting regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on CMS components can help identify similar weaknesses. Training IT staff on secure CMS configuration and maintaining an inventory of CMS versions deployed across the organization will improve resilience against such vulnerabilities.