CVE-2025-50976 is a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the IPFire 2.29 DNS management interface, specifically within the dns.cgi component. The vulnerability arises because the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input in the query parameters NAMESERVER, REMARK, and TLS_HOSTNAME. Reflected XSS vulnerabilities occur when malicious scripts injected via input parameters are immediately reflected back in the HTTP response without adequate validation or encoding. This allows an attacker to craft a specially crafted URL containing malicious JavaScript code that, when visited by an authenticated or unauthenticated user, executes in the victim's browser context. The impact of such an attack can include session hijacking, credential theft, redirection to malicious sites, or execution of arbitrary actions on behalf of the user. IPFire is an open-source firewall distribution widely used for network security management, often deployed in small to medium enterprises and organizations requiring robust perimeter defense. The dns.cgi interface is part of the DNS management functionality, which is critical for network operations and configuration. Although no specific affected versions beyond 2.29 are listed, the vulnerability disclosure date is August 26, 2025, and no patches or exploits in the wild are currently reported. The absence of a CVSS score indicates that the vulnerability has not yet been fully assessed for severity, but the nature of reflected XSS in a network security appliance's management interface suggests a notable risk, especially if the interface is accessible to untrusted users or exposed externally.

For European organizations, the presence of this reflected XSS vulnerability in IPFire's DNS management interface could lead to significant security risks. If attackers exploit this vulnerability, they could execute malicious scripts in the context of the management interface users, potentially leading to credential theft or session hijacking of administrators. This could result in unauthorized changes to firewall or DNS configurations, undermining network security and availability. Organizations relying on IPFire for perimeter defense may face increased risk of lateral movement by attackers or data exfiltration if administrative sessions are compromised. The impact is heightened in environments where the management interface is accessible over the internet or insufficiently segmented from general user networks. Given the critical role of DNS and firewall management in maintaining network integrity, exploitation could disrupt business operations and expose sensitive internal resources. Additionally, the lack of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive mitigation before widespread attacks occur.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations using IPFire 2.29 should first verify if an updated version or patch addressing CVE-2025-50976 has been released by the IPFire development team and apply it promptly. In the absence of an official patch, organizations should restrict access to the DNS management interface (dns.cgi) by implementing strict network segmentation and firewall rules to limit access only to trusted administrative hosts. Employing VPNs or secure management channels can further reduce exposure. Additionally, administrators should enforce strong authentication mechanisms and monitor access logs for suspicious activity. Web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting reflected XSS payloads can provide an additional layer of defense. User education to avoid clicking on suspicious links related to the management interface is also advisable. Finally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on management interfaces to detect and remediate similar vulnerabilities proactively.