CVE-2025-48917 is a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability classified under CWE-79, affecting the Drupal EU Cookie Compliance (GDPR Compliance) module. This module is designed to help websites comply with the European Union's GDPR regulations by managing cookie consent banners and related functionalities. The vulnerability arises due to improper neutralization of input during web page generation, meaning that user-supplied data is not adequately sanitized or escaped before being rendered in the HTML output. This flaw allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. When exploited, these scripts can execute in the context of the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, defacement, or redirection to malicious sites. The affected versions include all releases prior to 1.26.0, with the vulnerability present from version 0.0.0 up to but not including 1.26.0. As of the publication date (June 13, 2025), no known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no official patches or updates have been linked in the provided data. The vulnerability is specifically tied to the EU Cookie Compliance module, a widely used component in Drupal-based websites that operate within or target the European market to meet GDPR requirements. The lack of a CVSS score indicates that the severity has not yet been formally assessed, but the nature of XSS vulnerabilities and their potential impact is well understood in cybersecurity communities.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the widespread use of Drupal and its EU Cookie Compliance module to ensure GDPR adherence. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized script execution in users' browsers, compromising user data confidentiality and integrity. This is particularly critical for organizations handling sensitive personal data, as GDPR mandates strict data protection standards. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, perform phishing attacks, or manipulate website content, undermining user trust and potentially leading to regulatory penalties for non-compliance. The impact extends beyond individual users to the organization's reputation and legal standing. Additionally, since the vulnerability affects the cookie compliance module, which is often prominently displayed to all visitors, the attack surface is broad, potentially affecting all site visitors. The absence of known exploits currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers often develop exploits rapidly once vulnerabilities are disclosed. Organizations with high traffic, such as e-commerce, government portals, and healthcare providers, are particularly vulnerable due to the volume and sensitivity of user interactions.

1. Immediate upgrade: Organizations should promptly update the EU Cookie Compliance module to version 1.26.0 or later once it becomes available, as this will likely include the necessary patches to neutralize the vulnerability. 2. Input sanitization review: Conduct a thorough audit of all user inputs handled by the module and ensure proper encoding and sanitization mechanisms are in place, particularly for any data rendered in HTML contexts. 3. Content Security Policy (CSP): Implement a strict CSP header to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts and reduce the impact of potential XSS attacks. 4. Web Application Firewall (WAF): Deploy or update WAF rules to detect and block common XSS payloads targeting this module. 5. User awareness and monitoring: Monitor web server logs and user reports for suspicious activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. 6. Disable or restrict module usage: If immediate patching is not feasible, consider disabling the EU Cookie Compliance module temporarily or restricting its functionality to minimize exposure. 7. Security testing: Perform regular penetration testing focusing on XSS vectors within the Drupal environment, especially after module updates or configuration changes. 8. Incident response readiness: Prepare response plans to quickly address any detected exploitation, including user notification and forensic analysis.