CVE-2025-2749 is a vulnerability identified in Kentico Xperience, a widely used web content management system, specifically affecting versions through 13.0.178. The issue arises from improper validation and limitation of file pathnames in the Staging Sync Server component, allowing authenticated users to exploit path traversal (CWE-22) and arbitrary file upload (CWE-434) vulnerabilities. By manipulating file paths, an attacker can upload files outside the intended directories, including placing executable code on the server. This leads to remote code execution (RCE), enabling attackers to run arbitrary commands with the privileges of the application. The vulnerability requires authentication with high privileges but does not require user interaction, increasing the risk of automated or insider attacks. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.2 reflects the network attack vector, low attack complexity, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No public exploits are currently known, but the vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations relying on Kentico Xperience for staging and content deployment. The lack of available patches at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate mitigation efforts to reduce exposure.

For European organizations, this vulnerability can lead to severe consequences including unauthorized access to sensitive data, defacement or disruption of web services, and full system compromise through remote code execution. Organizations using Kentico Xperience for managing websites, intranets, or e-commerce platforms may face data breaches, loss of customer trust, and regulatory penalties under GDPR if personal data is exposed. The staging environment is often trusted and connected to production systems, so exploitation here can facilitate lateral movement and deeper network infiltration. The high severity and ease of exploitation by authenticated users mean that insider threats or compromised credentials could quickly escalate into full system compromise. Disruption of critical digital services could impact business continuity and reputation, especially for sectors like finance, healthcare, and government services prevalent in Europe.

1. Immediately restrict access to the Staging Sync Server to only trusted administrators and limit authentication to the minimum necessary privileges. 2. Implement strict monitoring and logging of file upload activities and unusual file path manipulations on the staging server. 3. Use network segmentation to isolate staging environments from production and sensitive internal networks. 4. Apply application-layer firewalls or web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block path traversal attempts. 5. Regularly audit user accounts and revoke unnecessary staging server access. 6. Once available, promptly apply official patches or updates from Kentico addressing this vulnerability. 7. Conduct penetration testing and vulnerability assessments focusing on file upload and path traversal vectors. 8. Educate administrators on the risks of elevated privileges and enforce multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of credential compromise.