CVE-2025-60645 is a security vulnerability classified as a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) affecting xxl-api version 1.3.0. The vulnerability allows an attacker to craft a malicious GET request that, when executed by an authenticated user, adds arbitrary users to the management module of the application. This unauthorized user addition can lead to privilege escalation, enabling attackers to gain management-level access without direct authentication. The attack vector exploits the lack of proper CSRF protections, such as missing anti-CSRF tokens or insufficient validation of HTTP methods, allowing state-changing operations via GET requests. Since the vulnerability leverages user interaction (the victim must be tricked into visiting a malicious link or page), it requires social engineering but no prior authentication by the attacker. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, and no patches or fixes have been published as of the vulnerability's disclosure date. The vulnerability's impact is significant because it compromises the integrity and availability of the management module, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate user accounts and control access. This could lead to further exploitation or persistent unauthorized access within affected environments. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for organizations relying on xxl-api for critical management functions, especially if the management interface is accessible over the network or internet. The absence of known exploits in the wild suggests it is newly disclosed, but the risk remains high due to the straightforward exploitation method.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-60645 could be substantial, particularly for those using xxl-api v1.3.0 in environments where the management module controls critical infrastructure or sensitive data. Unauthorized user additions could lead to privilege escalation, allowing attackers to manipulate system configurations, access confidential information, or disrupt services. This could result in data breaches, operational downtime, and loss of trust. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and government, which often use management APIs for automation and control, are at heightened risk. The vulnerability could also facilitate lateral movement within networks if attackers gain persistent elevated access. The lack of authentication requirement for exploitation and the use of a simple GET request increase the likelihood of successful attacks, especially if users are targeted via phishing or malicious websites. The absence of patches means organizations must rely on immediate mitigations to prevent exploitation. Overall, the vulnerability threatens confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with a particular emphasis on integrity and availability of management functions.

To mitigate CVE-2025-60645, organizations should implement several specific measures beyond generic advice: 1) Immediately audit and restrict access to the xxl-api management module, limiting it to trusted networks and users only. 2) Implement robust CSRF protections by enforcing anti-CSRF tokens on all state-changing requests and disallowing such operations via GET requests, ensuring only POST or other appropriate HTTP methods are accepted. 3) Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious GET requests targeting user addition endpoints. 4) Conduct user awareness training to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that could trick authenticated users into executing malicious requests. 5) Monitor logs for unusual user creation activities or anomalous API calls to detect potential exploitation attempts early. 6) Engage with the xxl-api vendor or community to obtain patches or updates as soon as they become available and plan for prompt deployment. 7) Use multi-factor authentication and strict role-based access controls within the management module to limit the impact of unauthorized user additions. 8) Consider network segmentation to isolate management interfaces from general user access and the internet. These targeted actions will reduce the attack surface and limit the potential damage from exploitation.