CVE-2025-49305 is a security vulnerability classified as CWE-79, which pertains to Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, commonly known as Cross-site Scripting (XSS). This specific vulnerability affects the impleCode Product Catalog Simple software up to version 1.8.1. The nature of the vulnerability is Stored XSS, meaning that malicious input submitted by an attacker is persistently stored by the application and later rendered in web pages viewed by other users without proper sanitization or encoding. This allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, indicating a medium severity level. The vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L) reveals that the attack can be performed remotely over the network (AV:N) with low attack complexity (AC:L), requires low privileges (PR:L), and user interaction (UI:R). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is low to medium (C:L/I:L/A:L). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. Stored XSS vulnerabilities can be exploited to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, deface websites, or deliver malware, posing significant risks especially in web applications that handle sensitive data or user interactions.

For European organizations using impleCode Product Catalog Simple, this vulnerability poses risks primarily related to user data confidentiality and integrity. Attackers exploiting Stored XSS can hijack user sessions, leading to unauthorized access to user accounts or sensitive business information. The changed scope (S:C) suggests that the impact could extend beyond the vulnerable component, potentially affecting other integrated systems or services. This is particularly concerning for e-commerce or product catalog platforms that handle customer data, payment information, or internal business processes. The requirement for low privileges and user interaction means that attackers might target employees or customers through phishing or social engineering to trigger the exploit. Given the medium severity and the absence of known exploits, the immediate risk may be moderate, but the potential for escalation and lateral movement within an organization’s infrastructure exists. European organizations must consider the regulatory implications, such as GDPR, where data breaches involving personal data could lead to significant fines and reputational damage.

Beyond generic advice, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Conduct a thorough code review and input validation audit of the impleCode Product Catalog Simple deployment, focusing on all user input fields that are stored and later rendered. 2) Apply context-aware output encoding or escaping for all dynamic content in HTML, JavaScript, and other relevant contexts to prevent script execution. 3) Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts and reduce the impact of potential XSS payloads. 4) Enforce strict user privilege management to minimize the number of users with low privileges who can input data that is stored and rendered. 5) Educate users and administrators about phishing and social engineering risks that could facilitate exploitation requiring user interaction. 6) Monitor web application logs and user behavior for unusual activity indicative of XSS exploitation attempts. 7) Engage with impleCode or relevant vendors to obtain patches or updates as soon as they become available and prioritize timely deployment. 8) Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with rules tailored to detect and block XSS payloads specific to this product’s context.