CVE-2025-44998 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the /tinyfilemanager.php component of TinyFileManager version 2.4.7. This vulnerability arises due to insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input in the js-theme-3 parameter, allowing an attacker to inject arbitrary JavaScript or HTML code. When a victim accesses the affected page, the malicious script executes in their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user. The vulnerability is classified as stored XSS, meaning the malicious payload is persistently stored on the server and served to multiple users, increasing the attack surface. According to the CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N), the attack can be launched remotely over the network without privileges but requires user interaction (e.g., clicking a link or visiting a page). The scope is changed (S:C), indicating the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact on confidentiality and integrity is low, while availability is not affected. No known exploits are reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79, a common web application security weakness related to improper neutralization of input leading to XSS.

For European organizations using TinyFileManager 2.4.7, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to web application security and user data confidentiality. Attackers exploiting this flaw could execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated users, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting users to phishing sites, or performing unauthorized actions within the application. This could lead to data leakage, unauthorized access to sensitive files, or reputational damage. Since TinyFileManager is often used for file management on web servers, exploitation could compromise the integrity of stored files or expose sensitive documents. The requirement for user interaction limits automated exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments with many users or where phishing campaigns could be launched. The vulnerability's scope change means that exploitation might affect other components or user sessions beyond the immediate vulnerable parameter, increasing potential impact. European organizations in sectors such as government, finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure that rely on TinyFileManager for file management should be particularly cautious, as data breaches could have regulatory and compliance consequences under GDPR and other data protection laws.

1. Immediate mitigation should include disabling or restricting access to the vulnerable /tinyfilemanager.php component until a patch is available. 2. Implement strict input validation and output encoding on the js-theme-3 parameter to neutralize any injected scripts. 3. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict execution of unauthorized scripts in the browser context. 4. Educate users to be cautious about clicking untrusted links or opening suspicious content related to the affected application. 5. Monitor web server logs for unusual requests targeting the js-theme-3 parameter or signs of XSS payloads. 6. If possible, upgrade to a newer, patched version of TinyFileManager once released. 7. Use web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block XSS attack patterns targeting this parameter. 8. Conduct security testing and code review of the TinyFileManager deployment to identify and remediate similar input validation issues.