CVE-2025-52164 is a vulnerability identified in Software GmbH's Agorum core open versions 11.9.2 and 11.10.1. The core issue involves the storage of credentials in plaintext within the affected software versions. Storing credentials in plaintext means that sensitive authentication data such as usernames and passwords are saved without any encryption or hashing, making them easily accessible to anyone who gains access to the storage medium. This vulnerability can arise from improper handling of credential storage mechanisms, lack of encryption, or misconfiguration. Since Agorum core open is a document management and collaboration platform, it typically manages sensitive business documents and user access controls, making the confidentiality of stored credentials critical. The absence of a CVSS score and lack of known exploits in the wild suggest that this vulnerability has been recently discovered and publicly disclosed but not yet actively exploited. However, the risk remains significant because plaintext credentials can be harvested by attackers who gain access to the system through other means, such as insider threats, lateral movement after initial compromise, or exploiting other vulnerabilities. The vulnerability affects specific versions (11.9.2 and 11.10.1), indicating that other versions may not be impacted or have addressed this issue. No patches or mitigation links are currently provided, which may imply that a fix is pending or users need to apply manual mitigations. The vulnerability does not require user interaction for exploitation but does require access to the system's storage where credentials are kept. This vulnerability compromises confidentiality directly and can lead to further compromise of integrity and availability if attackers use the stolen credentials to escalate privileges or move laterally within the network.

For European organizations using Agorum core open versions 11.9.2 and 11.10.1, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality of user credentials. If exploited, attackers could obtain plaintext credentials, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive documents and internal systems. This could result in data breaches, intellectual property theft, and disruption of business operations. Given that Agorum core open is often used in sectors requiring strict data protection compliance (e.g., finance, healthcare, legal), exposure of credentials could also lead to regulatory non-compliance issues under GDPR, resulting in fines and reputational damage. The vulnerability could facilitate insider threats or external attackers who have gained initial access to escalate privileges or maintain persistence. The lack of encryption for stored credentials undermines trust in the software's security posture and could impact organizations’ overall cybersecurity resilience. Additionally, the absence of known exploits in the wild currently limits immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future exploitation, especially if threat actors develop targeted attacks. Organizations relying on these versions should consider the risk of credential compromise as high, especially in environments with sensitive or regulated data.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting access to the storage locations where credentials are saved, ensuring only authorized personnel and processes have read/write permissions. 2. Organizations should monitor and audit access logs for unusual or unauthorized access attempts to the system or credential storage areas. 3. Implement network segmentation and least privilege principles to limit the impact of potential credential compromise. 4. Until an official patch is released, consider disabling or limiting the use of affected Agorum core open versions or migrating to unaffected versions if feasible. 5. Enforce strong password policies and consider multi-factor authentication (MFA) for accessing the Agorum platform to reduce the risk of credential misuse. 6. Regularly back up data and credentials securely to enable recovery in case of compromise. 7. Engage with Software GmbH for updates on patches or official remediation guidance. 8. If possible, encrypt stored credentials manually or use third-party tools to secure sensitive data at rest as a temporary workaround. 9. Conduct internal security awareness training to alert users about the risks of credential exposure and phishing attempts that could leverage stolen credentials.