CVE-2025-4511 is a path traversal vulnerability identified in the vector4wang spring-boot-quick project, specifically affecting versions up to 20250422. The vulnerability resides in the ResponseEntity function within the Img2TxtController.java file of the quick-img2txt component. Path traversal vulnerabilities allow an attacker to manipulate file paths to access files and directories outside the intended scope, potentially exposing sensitive data or enabling further exploitation. This vulnerability can be exploited remotely without user interaction or authentication, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/UI:N/PR:L). The CVSS 4.0 base score is 5.3, categorized as medium severity, reflecting limited impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, and requiring low privileges (PR:L). The vendor was contacted but did not respond, and no patches or mitigations have been publicly released. Although no known exploits are currently active in the wild, the public disclosure of the exploit code increases the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability's exploitation could allow attackers to read arbitrary files on the server, potentially exposing configuration files, credentials, or other sensitive information, which could facilitate further attacks or data breaches.

For European organizations using the spring-boot-quick framework, especially those integrating the quick-img2txt component, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized access to sensitive files on affected servers. This could lead to exposure of confidential business information, personal data protected under GDPR, or internal configuration details that could be leveraged for lateral movement or privilege escalation. The medium severity score suggests that while the immediate impact may be limited, the ability to read arbitrary files remotely without authentication is significant, especially in environments processing sensitive data or critical services. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, which often use Java Spring Boot frameworks for web applications, could be particularly impacted if they have integrated this vulnerable component. The lack of vendor response and absence of patches increases the urgency for organizations to implement compensating controls. Additionally, the public availability of exploit code raises the likelihood of opportunistic attacks targeting unpatched systems in Europe.

Given the absence of official patches, European organizations should take immediate steps to mitigate the risk: 1) Conduct an inventory to identify all instances of spring-boot-quick and specifically the quick-img2txt component in their environments. 2) Restrict access to affected services by implementing network-level controls such as IP whitelisting or VPN requirements to limit exposure to trusted users only. 3) Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block path traversal patterns targeting the vulnerable endpoint. 4) Review and harden file system permissions on servers hosting the application to minimize the impact of unauthorized file access. 5) If feasible, remove or disable the vulnerable quick-img2txt component until a patch or update is available. 6) Monitor logs for suspicious access patterns indicative of path traversal attempts. 7) Engage in proactive threat hunting for signs of exploitation attempts. 8) Follow vendor channels for updates and apply patches immediately upon release. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on compensating controls and detection strategies tailored to this specific vulnerability and its exploitation vector.