CVE-2025-57681 identifies a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the WorklogPRO - Timesheets for Jira plugin for Jira Data Center, specifically in versions prior to 4.23.6-jira10 and 4.23.5-jira9. The vulnerability arises because the plugin fails to properly sanitize user input in the issue summary field, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code. When a victim views the compromised issue, the malicious script executes in their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, theft of authentication tokens, or unauthorized Jira actions performed on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability can be exploited without authentication, increasing the attack surface. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the flaw is publicly disclosed and documented in the CVE database. Jira Data Center is widely used in enterprise environments for issue tracking and project management, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on WorklogPRO for time tracking. The lack of a CVSS score means severity must be inferred from the nature of the vulnerability: XSS in a widely used plugin with no authentication required and the ability to execute arbitrary scripts is a serious risk. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of Jira data and user sessions. The absence of patch links suggests that users must upgrade to the specified fixed versions or implement alternative mitigations. The vulnerability's exploitation vector is straightforward, requiring only that an attacker injects a crafted payload into the issue summary field, which is then viewed by other users.

For European organizations, this vulnerability can lead to significant security breaches including unauthorized access to sensitive project data, theft of user credentials, and potential lateral movement within corporate networks. Jira Data Center is commonly used by large enterprises and government agencies across Europe for managing software development and business processes, so exploitation could disrupt critical workflows. Attackers could leverage this XSS to perform phishing attacks, implant malware, or escalate privileges within the Jira environment. The impact extends beyond confidentiality to integrity, as attackers might manipulate issue data or time tracking records, affecting operational accuracy and compliance. Availability impact is less direct but could occur if attackers use the vulnerability to launch further attacks or cause service disruptions. The risk is heightened in sectors with stringent data protection requirements such as finance, healthcare, and public administration, where data leakage or manipulation could have regulatory and reputational consequences.

To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should promptly upgrade the WorklogPRO - Timesheets for Jira plugin to versions 4.23.6-jira10 or later for Jira 10, and 4.23.5-jira9 or later for Jira 9. If immediate upgrade is not feasible, implement strict input validation and sanitization on the issue summary field to block malicious scripts. Deploy Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in Jira web pages. Limit user permissions to reduce the ability of attackers to inject malicious content, especially restricting who can create or edit issue summaries. Monitor Jira logs for unusual activity or injection attempts. Educate users about the risks of clicking suspicious links or interacting with untrusted Jira issues. Regularly review and update security configurations of Jira Data Center and associated plugins. Consider isolating Jira instances from public internet access or using web application firewalls (WAF) to detect and block XSS payloads. Finally, stay informed about vendor advisories and apply patches as soon as they become available.