CVE-2025-52628 identifies a vulnerability in HCL AION version 2.0 related to the improper handling of the SameSite attribute on cookies. The SameSite attribute is a security control designed to restrict cookies from being sent with cross-site requests, thereby mitigating cross-site request forgery (CSRF) and other cross-origin attacks. In this case, the affected version of HCL AION either omits or incorrectly configures the SameSite attribute, allowing cookies to be included in cross-site HTTP requests. This behavior can be exploited by attackers to perform CSRF attacks, where malicious websites induce authenticated users to execute unwanted actions on the vulnerable application. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-1275, which relates to insecure cookie handling. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.6 (medium), with attack vector network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring low privileges (PR:L) and user interaction (UI:R). The impact affects integrity and availability but not confidentiality, indicating potential unauthorized actions or service disruptions without direct data leakage. No public exploits are currently known, but the vulnerability remains a risk due to the widespread use of cookies for session management. The lack of a patch link suggests that remediation may require configuration changes or vendor updates. Organizations relying on HCL AION 2.0 should assess their exposure and implement mitigations promptly.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to web applications and services using HCL AION 2.0 for business-critical processes. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users, potentially leading to data integrity issues, unauthorized transactions, or service disruptions. While confidentiality is not directly impacted, the integrity and availability concerns could affect trust and operational continuity. Sectors such as finance, government, and healthcare, which often deploy enterprise middleware like HCL AION, may face increased risks if attackers leverage CSRF to manipulate workflows or disrupt services. The requirement for user interaction and low privilege reduces the likelihood of widespread automated exploitation but does not eliminate targeted attacks. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently limits immediate risk but does not preclude future exploitation. European organizations must consider the regulatory implications of such vulnerabilities, especially under GDPR, where service integrity and availability are critical.

To mitigate CVE-2025-52628, organizations should first verify if they are running HCL AION version 2.0 and assess cookie configurations. Immediate steps include configuring cookies with the SameSite attribute set to 'Strict' or at minimum 'Lax' to prevent cookies from being sent in cross-site contexts. Implementing robust anti-CSRF tokens in all state-changing requests is essential to prevent unauthorized actions. Review and harden session management policies, ensuring cookies are marked Secure and HttpOnly to reduce exposure. Monitor web traffic for anomalous cross-site requests that could indicate exploitation attempts. Engage with HCL support or vendor channels to obtain patches or updates addressing this vulnerability. Additionally, conduct security awareness training to reduce risks from social engineering that could facilitate user interaction required for exploitation. Regularly audit web application security controls and perform penetration testing focused on CSRF and cookie handling. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block CSRF attempts targeting HCL AION endpoints.