CVE-2025-55522 is a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Akaunting software, specifically in the /common/reports component of version 3.1.18. This vulnerability arises due to improper sanitization or validation of user-supplied input in the 'name' parameter, which allows an attacker to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content. When a crafted payload is submitted via this parameter, the malicious script can be executed in the context of the victim's browser session. This type of vulnerability can be exploited to perform a range of malicious activities, including session hijacking, defacement, phishing, or delivering malware. The vulnerability does not have a CVSS score assigned yet, and there are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication. However, the presence of such a vulnerability in a financial/accounting software platform like Akaunting is concerning, as it could potentially expose sensitive financial data or user credentials if exploited. The lack of patch links suggests that a fix may not yet be available, emphasizing the need for immediate attention by users of the affected version. The vulnerability is limited to Akaunting version 3.1.18, and the attack vector requires the attacker to inject malicious payloads into the 'name' parameter within the reports component, which may be accessible via the web interface.

For European organizations using Akaunting v3.1.18, this XSS vulnerability could lead to significant security risks. Exploitation could compromise the confidentiality and integrity of financial data, as attackers might steal session cookies or credentials, enabling unauthorized access to sensitive accounting information. This could result in financial fraud, data breaches, or regulatory non-compliance under GDPR and other data protection laws. Additionally, successful exploitation could damage organizational reputation and trust, especially for SMEs relying on Akaunting for financial management. Since Akaunting is a web-based accounting platform, the vulnerability could also be leveraged to conduct phishing attacks targeting employees or customers by injecting malicious scripts that mimic legitimate content. The absence of known exploits currently reduces immediate risk, but the potential for rapid weaponization exists once details become public. The impact on availability is limited, as XSS typically does not cause denial of service, but the overall security posture is weakened, increasing the attack surface.

European organizations should immediately assess their use of Akaunting, particularly version 3.1.18, and consider the following mitigations: 1) Apply any available patches or updates from Akaunting as soon as they are released. If no official patch exists, consider temporarily disabling or restricting access to the /common/reports component to prevent exploitation. 2) Implement robust input validation and output encoding on the 'name' parameter at the application level to neutralize malicious scripts. 3) Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in the browser context. 4) Conduct security awareness training to alert users about the risks of phishing and suspicious links that could exploit XSS vulnerabilities. 5) Monitor web application logs for unusual input patterns or attempts to inject scripts. 6) Use web application firewalls (WAFs) configured to detect and block XSS payloads targeting the affected component. 7) Consider isolating Akaunting instances within segmented network zones to limit lateral movement if exploitation occurs. These measures, combined with prompt patching, will reduce the risk of successful exploitation.