CVE-2025-53426 is a reflected Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in Bob's Likert Survey Master software, affecting versions up to and including 0.8.0.1. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during the generation of web pages, which allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that is reflected back to users without adequate sanitization. This type of vulnerability is typically exploited by crafting malicious URLs or form inputs that, when visited or submitted by a victim, execute attacker-controlled scripts within the victim's browser context. The impact of such an attack can include theft of session cookies, enabling account takeover, defacement of web content, or redirection to phishing or malware sites. The vulnerability does not require prior authentication, increasing its risk profile, but does require user interaction such as clicking on a malicious link. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, and no public exploits have been reported. The vulnerability was reserved in June 2025 and published in October 2025. The lack of a patch link indicates that a fix may not yet be available, emphasizing the need for interim mitigations. The affected product, Likert Survey Master, is a survey tool used to collect user feedback, which may be deployed in various organizational contexts including academic, commercial, and governmental sectors.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of user data collected via the Likert Survey Master platform. Attackers exploiting this XSS flaw could hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information such as authentication tokens or personal data, and potentially manipulate survey results or redirect users to malicious websites. This could lead to reputational damage, regulatory non-compliance (notably under GDPR), and loss of user trust. Organizations relying heavily on web-based survey tools for customer feedback, employee engagement, or research may face operational disruptions. The reflected nature of the XSS means phishing campaigns could be crafted to target employees or customers, increasing the attack surface. Although availability impact is limited, the broader consequences on data integrity and confidentiality are substantial. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as public disclosure may prompt attackers to develop exploits.

Organizations should prioritize monitoring for updates or patches from Bob for Likert Survey Master and apply them promptly once available. In the interim, implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data within the survey application to neutralize potentially malicious scripts. Deploy Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts and reduce XSS impact. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on web application inputs. Educate users and staff about the risks of clicking on unsolicited or suspicious links related to survey invitations. Where possible, isolate the survey platform behind web application firewalls (WAFs) configured to detect and block XSS payloads. Review and limit the exposure of the survey application to only necessary user groups and networks. Maintain comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect anomalous activities indicative of exploitation attempts.