CVE-2025-48368 is a DOM-based Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting the Intermesh GroupOffice application, an enterprise customer relationship management (CRM) and groupware tool. The vulnerability exists in versions prior to 6.8.119 and 25.0.20. It arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically when user-supplied data is processed unsafely in the Document Object Model (DOM) without adequate sanitization or encoding. An attacker can craft a malicious payload injected into a parameter that the application later processes in the DOM context, enabling arbitrary JavaScript execution in the victim's browser. This can lead to session hijacking, allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate users, defacement of the web interface, or redirection to malicious websites that may host further exploits or phishing attempts. The vulnerability does not require authentication or privileges and can be triggered remotely via a crafted URL or input parameter, with only user interaction (clicking a link or visiting a malicious page) needed. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 5.8 (medium severity), reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, but requiring user interaction. The vulnerability has a high scope impact, meaning it can affect components beyond the vulnerable module. No known exploits are reported in the wild as of the publication date (May 22, 2025). The issue is addressed in GroupOffice versions 6.8.119 and 25.0.20 by implementing proper input neutralization and safe DOM handling to prevent script injection.

For European organizations using GroupOffice as part of their CRM or groupware infrastructure, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and data. Successful exploitation can lead to session hijacking, enabling attackers to access sensitive customer information, internal communications, or administrative functions. Defacement or redirection attacks can damage organizational reputation and trust, especially in sectors handling sensitive or regulated data such as finance, healthcare, or government. The medium severity score reflects that while exploitation requires user interaction, the lack of authentication barriers and network accessibility increase risk. Given GroupOffice’s role in collaboration and customer management, disruption or compromise could impact business continuity and regulatory compliance under GDPR if personal data is exposed. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for mitigation before widespread attacks occur.

European organizations should promptly upgrade GroupOffice installations to versions 6.8.119 or 25.0.20 or later to apply the official patch. Until upgrades are possible, implement strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of inline scripts and untrusted sources, reducing the impact of DOM-based XSS. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious input patterns targeting vulnerable parameters. Conduct thorough input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data, especially parameters processed in the DOM. Educate users about the risks of clicking untrusted links and implement browser security features such as SameSite cookies and HttpOnly flags to mitigate session hijacking. Regularly audit and monitor logs for unusual activity indicative of exploitation attempts. Finally, consider isolating GroupOffice instances within segmented network zones to limit lateral movement if compromise occurs.