CVE-2025-45767 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in jose version 6.0.10, a widely used JavaScript Object Signing and Encryption library. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-327, which relates to the use of weak cryptographic algorithms. Specifically, the issue arises from the implementation of encryption mechanisms within the library that do not meet recommended security standards, potentially allowing attackers to compromise the confidentiality and integrity of encrypted data. However, it is important to note that this claim is disputed by a third party, arguing that the alleged weak encryption does not contravene the guidance in the final security standards publication. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.0, indicating a high severity level, with the vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:H. This means the vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring privileges or user interaction, but it has a high attack complexity. The impact includes low confidentiality and integrity loss but high availability impact, suggesting that exploitation could lead to denial of service or disruption of services relying on jose for cryptographic operations. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches or fixes have been linked yet. The affected versions are not explicitly specified beyond version 6.0.10. Given the nature of the vulnerability, attackers might exploit weak encryption to decrypt sensitive information, tamper with data, or cause service outages in applications using this library for cryptographic functions.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability could be significant, especially for those relying on jose v6.0.10 for secure data transmission, authentication, or digital signatures. The potential compromise of confidentiality and integrity, even if rated low, combined with a high availability impact, could disrupt critical services, leading to data breaches or denial of service conditions. This is particularly concerning for sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, where data protection and service continuity are paramount and regulated under frameworks like GDPR and NIS Directive. The disputed nature of the vulnerability might delay patching or mitigation efforts, increasing exposure time. Additionally, the high attack complexity might limit exploitation to skilled attackers, but the lack of required privileges or user interaction means that automated or remote attacks remain feasible. Organizations could face regulatory and reputational risks if sensitive data is exposed or services are disrupted due to this vulnerability.

Given the absence of official patches, European organizations should take proactive steps to mitigate the risk. First, conduct an immediate inventory to identify all applications and services using jose v6.0.10. Where possible, upgrade to a later, verified secure version of the library or apply vendor-recommended patches once available. If upgrading is not immediately feasible, implement compensating controls such as network segmentation and strict access controls to limit exposure of affected systems. Employ runtime application self-protection (RASP) or web application firewalls (WAF) to detect and block anomalous cryptographic operations or exploitation attempts. Additionally, increase monitoring and logging around cryptographic operations to detect potential exploitation. Review cryptographic policies to ensure fallback mechanisms do not rely on weak encryption. Engage with the jose community or maintainers to clarify the dispute and obtain guidance on secure configurations. Finally, conduct security awareness training for developers to avoid using vulnerable versions and to implement cryptographic best practices.