CVE-2025-49493 is a medium-severity vulnerability identified in Akamai CloudTest versions prior to 60 2025.06.02 (build 12988). The vulnerability is classified under CWE-611, which pertains to improper restriction of XML External Entity (XXE) references. Specifically, this flaw allows an attacker to perform XML External Entity injection, enabling unauthorized file inclusion. The vulnerability arises because the affected versions of Akamai CloudTest do not properly restrict or sanitize XML input, allowing maliciously crafted XML payloads to reference external entities. This can lead to the disclosure of sensitive files on the server hosting CloudTest. According to the CVSS 3.1 vector (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N), the vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction. The impact is limited to confidentiality, with no direct effect on integrity or availability. The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that exploitation can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches or mitigation links have been published yet. The vulnerability is significant because Akamai CloudTest is a widely used performance and load testing platform, often deployed in enterprise environments to simulate user traffic and test application resilience. An attacker exploiting this XXE flaw could potentially access sensitive configuration files or other data on the server, which could facilitate further attacks or information gathering.

For European organizations using Akamai CloudTest, this vulnerability poses a risk of sensitive data exposure, particularly configuration files or internal documents accessible via the server's filesystem. Since the vulnerability allows remote exploitation without authentication, attackers could leverage this flaw to gain insights into the testing environment, potentially revealing internal network structures or credentials embedded in configuration files. This could aid in lateral movement or targeted attacks against the organization. Although the vulnerability does not directly impact system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach could lead to compliance issues under GDPR and other data protection regulations prevalent in Europe. Organizations in sectors with stringent data privacy requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and government, may face regulatory scrutiny if sensitive data is exposed. Additionally, the scope change means that the impact could extend beyond the CloudTest application itself, potentially affecting other integrated systems or services within the enterprise environment.

Given the absence of an official patch at the time of this report, European organizations should take immediate steps to mitigate the risk. First, restrict network access to the Akamai CloudTest server, limiting it to trusted IP addresses and internal networks only, to reduce exposure to external attackers. Implement strict input validation and XML parsing configurations to disable external entity processing if possible, or use secure XML parsers that do not resolve external entities. Monitor logs for unusual XML payloads or access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. If feasible, isolate the CloudTest environment from critical production systems to contain potential breaches. Organizations should also engage with Akamai support to obtain timelines for patches or updates and apply them promptly once available. Regularly review and audit configurations and permissions on the CloudTest server to minimize sensitive file exposure. Finally, consider deploying web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting XXE attack patterns to provide an additional layer of defense.