CVE-2025-57516 identifies an OS command injection vulnerability in PublicCMS versions V5.202506.a and V5.202506.b, specifically in the backupDB.bat script. The vulnerability arises because the script accepts DATABASE, USERNAME, and PASSWORD variables without proper sanitization or validation, allowing an attacker to inject arbitrary operating system commands. This flaw is classified under CWE-78, indicating improper neutralization of special elements in OS commands. Exploitation requires no authentication or user interaction and can be performed remotely over the network, as the backup process likely interfaces with external inputs or automated systems. Successful exploitation could lead to execution of arbitrary commands with the privileges of the process running backupDB.bat, potentially compromising data integrity by altering backups or system files, and enabling further attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.2 reflects the high impact on integrity, moderate impact on confidentiality, and no impact on availability, combined with low attack complexity and no required privileges. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the vulnerability's characteristics make it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise PublicCMS deployments. The lack of available patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate mitigation through access controls and input validation. Organizations should monitor for updates and advisories from PublicCMS maintainers. This vulnerability highlights the risks of improper input handling in automated scripts within CMS environments.

For European organizations, exploitation of CVE-2025-57516 could result in unauthorized command execution on servers running vulnerable PublicCMS versions, leading to potential data manipulation or destruction during backup operations. This compromises the integrity of critical content and backup data, undermining recovery efforts and trustworthiness of stored information. Attackers could leverage this foothold to move laterally within networks, escalate privileges, or exfiltrate sensitive data, impacting confidentiality. Given that PublicCMS is used in various sectors including government, education, and private enterprises, the disruption could affect service continuity and regulatory compliance, especially under GDPR mandates concerning data integrity and protection. The absence of required authentication and user interaction lowers the barrier for attackers, increasing the likelihood of exploitation. Additionally, compromised backup processes can hinder incident response and recovery, prolonging downtime and increasing remediation costs. The threat is particularly severe for organizations relying heavily on automated backup scripts without additional security controls. Overall, the vulnerability poses a significant risk to operational security and data governance in European contexts.

To mitigate CVE-2025-57516, organizations should immediately restrict access to the backupDB.bat script to trusted administrators and systems only, using file system permissions and network segmentation. Implement strict input validation and sanitization for DATABASE, USERNAME, and PASSWORD variables to prevent injection of malicious commands; this includes whitelisting allowed characters and rejecting suspicious inputs. Employ application-layer firewalls or intrusion prevention systems to detect and block anomalous command injection attempts targeting backup processes. Monitor logs for unusual execution patterns or errors related to backupDB.bat. Until official patches are released, consider disabling automated backup scripts or replacing them with secure alternatives that do not rely on unsanitized input. Conduct thorough code reviews and security testing on all scripts handling external inputs. Maintain up-to-date backups stored offline or in immutable storage to ensure recovery capability in case of compromise. Finally, stay informed through PublicCMS security advisories and apply patches promptly once available.