CVE-2025-46226 is a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the ferranfg MPL-Publisher software, affecting all versions up to and including 2.18.0. This vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during web page generation, classified under CWE-79. Specifically, the application fails to adequately sanitize or encode input before embedding it into web pages, allowing malicious actors to inject and store arbitrary JavaScript code within the application’s content. When other users access the affected pages, the malicious script executes in their browsers within the security context of the vulnerable site. Stored XSS is particularly dangerous because the injected payload persists on the server, potentially impacting multiple users over time. Exploitation does not require authentication or prior user interaction beyond visiting the compromised page, increasing the attack surface. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability’s presence in a content publishing platform suggests potential for abuse in defacing content, session hijacking, credential theft, or delivering further malware. The lack of an official patch at the time of disclosure means that affected organizations must rely on interim mitigations. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed on April 22, 2025, and has been enriched with CISA data, indicating recognition by cybersecurity authorities. Given the nature of MPL-Publisher as a web content management tool, the vulnerability could affect any organization using this software to publish or manage web content.

For European organizations, the impact of this Stored XSS vulnerability can be significant, particularly for entities relying on MPL-Publisher for public-facing or internal web content management. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized script execution in users’ browsers, enabling attackers to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, or redirect users to malicious sites. This compromises confidentiality and integrity of user data and can damage organizational reputation. In sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure—where trust and data protection are paramount—such attacks can disrupt operations and erode stakeholder confidence. Additionally, compliance with GDPR imposes strict obligations on data protection; exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to regulatory scrutiny and penalties if personal data is compromised. The absence of known exploits currently limits immediate widespread impact, but the vulnerability’s medium severity and ease of exploitation without authentication make it a credible threat vector. Organizations with high web traffic or sensitive user bases are at elevated risk. Furthermore, attackers could leverage this vulnerability as a foothold for more complex attacks, including lateral movement or supply chain compromise if MPL-Publisher is integrated with other systems.

Given the absence of an official patch, European organizations should implement targeted mitigations to reduce risk. First, apply strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data within MPL-Publisher configurations or customizations, using context-aware encoding libraries to neutralize scripts. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict execution of unauthorized scripts and reduce impact of injected code. Conduct thorough code reviews and penetration testing focused on XSS vectors within MPL-Publisher deployments. Limit user privileges to only those necessary for content creation and editing to reduce potential injection points. Monitor web logs and user activity for anomalous behavior indicative of XSS exploitation attempts. Where feasible, isolate MPL-Publisher instances behind web application firewalls (WAFs) configured with rules to detect and block XSS payloads. Educate content editors and administrators about the risks of embedding untrusted content. Finally, maintain close communication with the vendor for patch releases and plan prompt application of updates once available. Organizations should also consider temporary removal or restriction of public-facing content features that accept user input until the vulnerability is remediated.