CVE-2025-5137 is a code injection vulnerability identified in DedeCMS version 5.7.117, specifically within the file dede/sys_verifies.php when the 'action' parameter is set to 'getfiles'. This vulnerability stems from an incomplete fix of a previous vulnerability (CVE-2018-9175). The issue arises due to improper handling and sanitization of the 'refiles' argument, allowing an attacker to inject arbitrary code remotely. The vulnerability does not require user interaction but does require high privileges (PR:H) to exploit, as indicated by the CVSS vector. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), and the vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability to a low degree (VC:L, VI:L, VA:L). Although the CVSS score is 5.1 (medium severity), the ability to execute arbitrary code remotely poses a significant risk if exploited. No public exploit is currently known to be in the wild, but the exploit code has been disclosed publicly, increasing the risk of future exploitation. The vulnerability affects a specific CMS platform, DedeCMS, which is used primarily for website content management, often in Chinese-speaking markets but also in other regions including Europe. The lack of a patch or mitigation link in the provided data suggests that organizations using this version of DedeCMS may remain exposed until an official fix is released or alternative mitigations are applied.

For European organizations using DedeCMS 5.7.117, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized code execution on web servers, potentially allowing attackers to compromise website integrity, steal sensitive data, or disrupt services. Given that DedeCMS is a web content management system, exploitation could result in defacement, data leakage, or use of the compromised server as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The medium CVSS score reflects moderate impact, but the critical nature of code injection means that the actual risk could be higher depending on the deployment context. European organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, media, education, or government that rely on DedeCMS for their web presence could face reputational damage and operational disruption. Additionally, the presence of publicly disclosed exploit code increases the likelihood of opportunistic attacks, especially against unpatched systems. The requirement for high privileges to exploit may limit the attack surface to insiders or attackers who have already gained some level of access, but the remote attack vector means that external attackers could attempt privilege escalation chains to exploit this vulnerability.

1. Immediate action should be to upgrade DedeCMS to a version where this vulnerability is patched once available. Monitor official DedeCMS channels for security updates. 2. In the absence of an official patch, implement strict input validation and sanitization on the 'refiles' parameter within dede/sys_verifies.php to prevent code injection. 3. Restrict access to the vulnerable endpoint by applying web application firewall (WAF) rules that block suspicious requests targeting 'action=getfiles' with unusual 'refiles' parameter values. 4. Limit the privileges of web application users and services to the minimum necessary to reduce the impact of potential exploitation. 5. Conduct regular security audits and code reviews of customizations to DedeCMS to detect and remediate insecure coding practices. 6. Monitor web server logs for unusual activity related to the vulnerable endpoint to detect potential exploitation attempts early. 7. Employ network segmentation to isolate web servers running DedeCMS from critical internal systems to limit lateral movement in case of compromise.