CVE-2025-15154 affects PbootCMS, a content management system, specifically versions 3.2.0 through 3.2.12. The vulnerability resides in the get_user_ip function within the core/function/handle.php file, part of the Header Handler component. This function relies on the X-Forwarded-For HTTP header to determine the client's IP address. However, the header can be manipulated by an attacker to supply a less trusted or spoofed IP address. Because the system trusts this header without sufficient validation, attackers can bypass IP-based restrictions, evade detection, or confuse logging and auditing systems. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without authentication or user interaction, increasing its risk profile. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges or user interaction needed, and limited impact on integrity but no impact on confidentiality or availability. No patches or fixes are currently linked, and no known exploits are reported in the wild, but public disclosure means attackers may develop exploits. The vulnerability highlights the risks of trusting client-supplied HTTP headers without proper validation in web applications.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could undermine security controls that rely on accurate client IP information, such as IP-based access controls, rate limiting, geofencing, and forensic logging. Attackers could impersonate trusted IP addresses to gain unauthorized access or evade detection, potentially leading to unauthorized data access or privilege escalation in layered security environments. The integrity of security logs and monitoring systems may be compromised, complicating incident response and forensic investigations. Organizations using PbootCMS for public-facing websites or intranet portals are particularly at risk. While the vulnerability does not directly lead to data disclosure or system compromise, it facilitates other attack vectors by weakening trust in network-level controls. This could be exploited by cybercriminals or state-sponsored actors targeting European entities, especially those with sensitive or regulated data.

European organizations should immediately audit their use of PbootCMS and identify affected versions (3.2.0 to 3.2.12). Until an official patch is released, administrators should implement server-side validation of the X-Forwarded-For header, ensuring it originates from trusted proxies only. Configuring web servers or reverse proxies to overwrite or remove untrusted X-Forwarded-For headers can prevent spoofing. Additionally, IP-based access controls should be supplemented with multi-factor authentication and behavioral analytics to reduce reliance on client IP addresses. Logging mechanisms should be enhanced to record multiple headers and cross-verify IP sources. Organizations should monitor public vulnerability feeds for patch releases and apply updates promptly. Conducting penetration testing to validate the effectiveness of mitigations and reviewing firewall and WAF rules to detect anomalous header manipulations are also recommended.