CVE-2025-52647 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-644 (Improper Neutralization of HTTP Headers for Scripting Syntax) affecting HCL Software's BigFix WebUI version 11. The issue arises because the application reflects the HOST information from incoming HTTP header fields directly in responses without proper sanitization or validation. This improper neutralization allows attackers to conduct Host Header Poisoning attacks, where the attacker manipulates the HTTP Host header to inject malicious scripting syntax or alter the behavior of the web application. Such attacks can lead to various security issues including cache poisoning, password reset poisoning, phishing, and session fixation. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.1, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), with low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but user interaction is necessary (UI:R). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact affects confidentiality and integrity to a limited extent (C:L/I:L), but does not impact availability (A:N). No patches or exploits are currently publicly available, but the vulnerability is published and should be addressed proactively. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for environments where BigFix WebUI is used for endpoint management and security operations, as manipulation of host headers could undermine trust in the application’s responses and potentially lead to further exploitation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the confidentiality and integrity of data managed through BigFix WebUI. Since BigFix is widely used for endpoint management, security patching, and compliance enforcement, exploitation could allow attackers to redirect users to malicious sites, poison caches, or hijack sessions, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data leakage. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, energy, and government, which rely heavily on endpoint security and compliance tools, could face increased risk of targeted attacks leveraging this vulnerability. The requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to exploit it. Although availability is not impacted, the indirect effects of compromised endpoint management could disrupt security operations and incident response capabilities. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits over time.

To mitigate CVE-2025-52647, organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Apply any available patches or updates from HCL Software as soon as they are released. 2) If patches are not yet available, configure web application firewalls (WAFs) or reverse proxies to validate and sanitize incoming Host headers, rejecting or rewriting suspicious or unexpected values. 3) Implement strict allowlists for acceptable Host header values based on known domain names and IP addresses used by BigFix WebUI. 4) Monitor web server and application logs for unusual Host header values or patterns indicative of Host Header Poisoning attempts. 5) Educate users about phishing risks and the dangers of clicking on suspicious links that could trigger this vulnerability. 6) Review and harden session management and password reset mechanisms to ensure they do not rely solely on Host header values. 7) Conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on HTTP header manipulation to detect similar weaknesses. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling and validating the Host header and strengthening related application logic.