CVE-2025-48098 is a Stored Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in Ays Pro Survey Maker, a web-based survey creation tool widely used for collecting user input and feedback. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during the generation of web pages, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that is stored on the server and later executed in the browsers of users who access the affected survey pages. This persistent XSS flaw can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, although it does require user interaction in the form of visiting a maliciously crafted survey. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.1 indicates a high-severity issue, with an attack vector of network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), user interaction required (UI:R), and scope changed (S:C). The impact affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:L/I:L/A:L), meaning attackers can steal sensitive information such as session cookies, manipulate displayed content, or perform actions on behalf of users, potentially leading to account compromise or further exploitation. The vulnerability affects all versions of Survey Maker up to and including 5.1.8.8. No patches or known exploits are currently reported, but the risk is significant given the nature of the flaw and the typical use of survey tools in collecting sensitive or strategic data. The improper input handling indicates a lack of sufficient input validation and output encoding in the application’s web page generation logic. This vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted phishing campaigns or supply chain attacks where survey links are distributed to employees or customers. The persistent nature of the XSS increases the risk as malicious scripts remain stored and active until remediated. Organizations relying on Ays Pro Survey Maker should prioritize remediation and implement layered defenses to mitigate exploitation risks.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-48098 can be substantial. Survey tools often collect sensitive user data, feedback, or internal information, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to exfiltrate data or gain footholds within networks. Exploitation could lead to session hijacking, unauthorized actions performed in the context of legitimate users, and potential lateral movement within corporate environments. The compromise of survey data integrity could also damage organizational reputation and violate data protection regulations such as GDPR, leading to legal and financial consequences. Since the vulnerability requires user interaction, phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to lure employees or customers to malicious survey links. The scope change in the CVSS vector indicates that the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component, potentially impacting other integrated systems or services. Given the widespread use of survey tools in sectors like finance, healthcare, government, and education across Europe, the risk of data breaches and operational disruption is significant. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the high severity score demands urgent attention to prevent future attacks.

1. Apply vendor patches immediately once released to address the vulnerability in Survey Maker. 2. Until patches are available, implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data fields within the survey application to prevent script injection. 3. Deploy a robust Content Security Policy (CSP) to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers accessing the survey pages. 4. Conduct regular security audits and code reviews focusing on input handling and output generation in the survey software. 5. Educate users and employees about the risks of clicking on unsolicited survey links and implement phishing awareness training. 6. Monitor web server logs and application behavior for signs of suspicious activity or injection attempts. 7. Consider isolating the survey application environment to limit the impact of potential exploitation on broader network resources. 8. Use web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules tuned to detect and block XSS payloads targeting the survey application. 9. Review and harden session management mechanisms to reduce the impact of session hijacking attempts. 10. Maintain an incident response plan specifically addressing web application vulnerabilities and XSS attacks.