CVE-2025-24854 is a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability classified under CWE-79, discovered in the Apache JSPWiki project maintained by the Apache Software Foundation. The vulnerability specifically resides in the Image plugin component of JSPWiki, where insufficient input sanitization allows an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code through specially crafted requests. When a victim user interacts with the manipulated content, the injected script executes within their browser context, potentially compromising confidentiality by stealing session cookies, authentication tokens, or other sensitive information accessible via the browser. The vulnerability does not require the attacker to have any privileges (no authentication needed) but does require user interaction (e.g., clicking a malicious link or viewing a compromised page). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.1, indicating a medium severity level, with the vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N, meaning the attack is network exploitable with low complexity, no privileges required, user interaction needed, and a scope change that affects confidentiality and integrity but not availability. The vulnerability was published on July 31, 2025, and users are advised to upgrade to Apache JSPWiki version 2.12.3 or later where the issue is fixed. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the presence of this vulnerability in a widely used open-source wiki platform poses a risk, especially in environments where JSPWiki is used for collaborative documentation and knowledge sharing.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-24854 can be significant in environments relying on Apache JSPWiki for internal or external documentation and collaboration. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information such as session tokens or user credentials, enabling further attacks like session hijacking or privilege escalation. This can compromise the integrity of organizational data and user trust. Since JSPWiki is often used in government, education, and enterprise sectors, a successful XSS attack could disrupt workflows and expose confidential information. The vulnerability's requirement for user interaction limits automated exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in phishing-prone environments. Additionally, the scope change in the CVSS vector indicates that the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component, potentially impacting multiple users and systems within an organization. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but underscores the need for proactive mitigation to prevent future attacks.

European organizations should immediately upgrade Apache JSPWiki installations to version 2.12.3 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. Beyond patching, administrators should audit and restrict the use of the Image plugin or any other plugins that process user input, ensuring they are configured securely or disabled if unnecessary. Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of untrusted scripts in browsers accessing JSPWiki instances. Conduct regular security training to raise user awareness about the risks of interacting with suspicious links or content. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules tailored to detect and block XSS payloads targeting JSPWiki. Additionally, review and sanitize all user-generated content inputs at the application level to prevent injection of malicious scripts. Monitoring logs for unusual activity related to JSPWiki can help detect attempted exploitation. Finally, maintain an up-to-date inventory of all open-source components in use to ensure timely application of security updates.