CVE-2025-49397 is a security vulnerability classified as CWE-79, which corresponds to Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, commonly known as Cross-site Scripting (XSS). This vulnerability affects the Noor Alam Colorbox Lightbox product, specifically versions up to 1.1.5. The issue is a Stored XSS vulnerability, meaning that malicious input submitted by an attacker is stored on the server and later rendered in web pages without proper sanitization or encoding. When a victim accesses the affected page, the malicious script executes in their browser context. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5 (medium severity), with the vector indicating the attack can be performed remotely (AV:N), requires low complexity (AC:L), needs privileges (PR:L), requires user interaction (UI:R), and has a scope change (S:C). The impact affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a low level. Stored XSS vulnerabilities can be exploited to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, deface websites, or deliver malware. The vulnerability arises because the Colorbox Lightbox component does not properly neutralize user input when generating web pages, allowing injection of arbitrary scripts. No patch links are currently provided, and no known exploits are reported in the wild as of the publication date (August 20, 2025).

For European organizations using the Noor Alam Colorbox Lightbox component on their websites or web applications, this vulnerability poses a risk of client-side attacks that can compromise user data and trust. Stored XSS can lead to session hijacking, enabling attackers to impersonate legitimate users, potentially accessing sensitive information or performing unauthorized actions. This is particularly critical for organizations handling personal data under GDPR, as exploitation could result in data breaches and regulatory penalties. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged to deliver malware or conduct phishing campaigns targeting European users, damaging brand reputation and customer confidence. The requirement for low privileges and user interaction means that attackers may exploit accounts with limited access, increasing the attack surface. The scope change indicates that the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component, potentially impacting other parts of the web application. Given the widespread use of web-based services in Europe, this vulnerability could affect sectors such as e-commerce, finance, healthcare, and government services if the component is integrated.

To mitigate CVE-2025-49397, European organizations should first inventory their web applications to identify any usage of the Noor Alam Colorbox Lightbox component, especially versions up to 1.1.5. Since no official patches are currently available, organizations should implement immediate compensating controls: 1) Apply strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data rendered in web pages, using established libraries or frameworks that enforce context-aware encoding (e.g., HTML entity encoding for HTML contexts). 2) Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts and reduce the impact of XSS attacks. 3) Conduct thorough code reviews and penetration testing focusing on XSS vectors within the affected applications. 4) Monitor web application logs for suspicious input patterns or unusual user activity that may indicate exploitation attempts. 5) Educate developers on secure coding practices to prevent injection flaws. Once a vendor patch or update becomes available, prioritize timely deployment. Additionally, consider implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting XSS payloads as an interim protective measure.