CVE-2025-52623 identifies a security weakness in HCL AION version 2.0 related to the improper handling of the HTML autocomplete attribute on password input fields. Specifically, the autocomplete attribute is not disabled, which contravenes best practices for securing password inputs. When autocomplete is enabled on password fields, browsers may store these credentials locally, potentially exposing them to unauthorized parties if the device is compromised or shared. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-522, which concerns the failure to disable autocomplete on sensitive fields. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 3.7, indicating low severity, with the vector AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:L. This means the attack requires network access, high attack complexity, low privileges, and user interaction, with an impact limited to confidentiality (partial disclosure of credentials), and no impact on integrity or availability. No patches or known exploits have been reported at the time of publication. The vulnerability primarily increases the risk of credential leakage through browser-stored passwords, which could be leveraged in targeted attacks or lateral movement within networks. Given the nature of the vulnerability, exploitation would typically require social engineering or user involvement to trigger the credential storage or disclosure.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability is primarily related to the potential unauthorized disclosure of user credentials stored by browsers due to the enabled autocomplete feature on password fields. This could lead to unauthorized access if attackers gain physical or remote access to affected devices or if malware extracts stored credentials. While the direct impact on system integrity and availability is minimal, the confidentiality breach could facilitate further attacks such as privilege escalation or data exfiltration. Organizations in sectors with stringent data protection requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and government, may face compliance risks if credential leakage leads to data breaches. The low CVSS score reflects the limited scope and complexity of exploitation, but the risk increases in environments where users have low security awareness or where endpoint security is weak. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate threat levels but does not eliminate the risk of future exploitation.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations using HCL AION 2.0 should: 1) Immediately review and update the application’s HTML forms to explicitly set the autocomplete attribute to 'off' for all password input fields, preventing browsers from storing credentials. 2) Conduct security audits of web applications to identify and remediate similar autocomplete misconfigurations. 3) Educate users about the risks of saving passwords in browsers, especially on shared or unmanaged devices. 4) Implement endpoint security controls to detect and prevent unauthorized access to stored credentials, including the use of password managers that securely handle credentials outside the browser’s autocomplete mechanism. 5) Monitor for suspicious activities that may indicate credential compromise, such as unusual login patterns. 6) Engage with HCL for any forthcoming patches or updates addressing this issue and apply them promptly once available. 7) Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the impact of potential credential disclosure. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on both application-level fixes and user/device-level controls.