CVE-2025-5808 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in OpenText's Self Service Password Reset (SSPR) product, specifically affecting versions prior to 4.8 patch 3. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-1284, which relates to improper validation of specified quantity in input. This flaw allows an attacker to bypass authentication mechanisms by exploiting insufficient input validation during the password reset process. Essentially, the SSPR component fails to correctly validate certain input parameters that control the quantity or extent of operations, enabling an attacker with limited privileges (low privileges) and requiring some authentication and user interaction to escalate access or bypass authentication controls. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates the attack can be performed remotely (AV:N) with low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring partial authentication (PR:L) and user interaction (UI:A). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality and integrity highly, with limited impact on availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and patched in version 4.8 patch 3. The flaw is critical in environments where SSPR is used to manage password resets, as it can allow unauthorized users to reset passwords or gain access to accounts without proper authentication, undermining the security of identity and access management processes.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to identity and access management security. Many enterprises and public sector organizations in Europe rely on OpenText SSPR to enable users to reset passwords securely without IT intervention. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized account access, data breaches, and potential lateral movement within networks. Given the GDPR and other data protection regulations in Europe, unauthorized access resulting from this vulnerability could lead to severe compliance violations, financial penalties, and reputational damage. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure, where identity management is tightly integrated with sensitive data access, are particularly vulnerable. The authentication bypass could also facilitate insider threats or external attackers gaining footholds, increasing the risk of further exploitation or ransomware attacks.

European organizations using OpenText SSPR should immediately verify their product version and apply the patch for version 4.8 patch 3 or later to remediate this vulnerability. Beyond patching, organizations should implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) on password reset workflows to add an additional layer of verification. Monitoring and logging of password reset requests should be enhanced to detect anomalous activities indicative of exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be enforced to limit the impact of any compromised accounts. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on identity management components. User education about phishing and social engineering risks related to password resets can reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation. Finally, incident response plans should be updated to include scenarios involving authentication bypass in password reset systems.