CVE-2025-45893 is a security vulnerability identified in OpenCart version 4.1.0.4, specifically involving a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack vector through SVG file uploads in blog posts. OpenCart is a widely used open-source e-commerce platform, and version 4.1.0.4 is affected by improper sanitization of SVG files uploaded via its media manager. SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) files can contain embedded JavaScript, which, if not properly sanitized, can be exploited by attackers to inject malicious scripts. This Stored XSS vulnerability means that the malicious payload is stored on the server and served to users who view the affected blog posts, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of the victim's browser. This can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, defacement, or further exploitation of the victim's system. The vulnerability arises because the media manager does not adequately filter or sanitize the SVG content before storing and rendering it, allowing embedded scripts to persist and execute when the SVG is rendered in users' browsers. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, and there are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication. The vulnerability was reserved in April 2025 and published in July 2025. No patches or fixes have been linked or announced yet, indicating that affected users must be vigilant and implement mitigations proactively.

For European organizations using OpenCart 4.1.0.4, especially those that utilize the blog feature with media uploads, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the browsers of site visitors, including customers and administrators. This can lead to theft of sensitive information such as login credentials, session cookies, or personal data, undermining confidentiality. It can also enable attackers to perform actions on behalf of users (integrity impact) or deface the website, damaging availability and reputation. Given the e-commerce context, compromised sites can lead to financial losses, regulatory penalties under GDPR for data breaches, and erosion of customer trust. The stored nature of the XSS means that once an attacker uploads a malicious SVG, all visitors to the affected blog posts are at risk without any user interaction beyond visiting the page. This broadens the scope of impact. Additionally, administrative users accessing the blog posts could have their sessions hijacked, potentially leading to full site compromise. The absence of a patch increases the urgency for European organizations to implement mitigations to prevent exploitation.

1. Immediate mitigation should include disabling SVG uploads via the media manager until a patch is available. Restrict file uploads to safer formats that do not support embedded scripts. 2. Implement server-side filtering of SVG files using specialized sanitization libraries that remove all script elements and potentially dangerous attributes before allowing upload or rendering. 3. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of inline scripts and limit the sources from which scripts can be loaded, reducing the impact of any injected scripts. 4. Regularly audit and monitor uploaded media files for suspicious content, especially SVGs, to detect and remove malicious files promptly. 5. Educate content managers and administrators about the risks of uploading untrusted SVG files and enforce strict access controls on who can upload media. 6. Monitor OpenCart official channels for patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 7. Consider implementing web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block malicious SVG payloads or suspicious XSS patterns. 8. Review and harden user session management to reduce the impact of session hijacking attempts.