CVE-2025-63872 identifies a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in DeepSeek version 3.2. The vulnerability specifically involves the execution of arbitrary JavaScript code through SVG content generated by the application’s internal model. SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is an XML-based vector image format that can embed scripts, and if the application fails to properly sanitize or validate this content, it can become a vector for XSS attacks. Attackers can craft malicious SVG payloads that, when rendered by a victim’s browser, execute JavaScript in the context of the vulnerable web application. This can lead to session hijacking, theft of sensitive information, or execution of further malicious actions on behalf of the user. The vulnerability does not require prior authentication or user interaction beyond visiting a crafted page or content containing the malicious SVG. Although no exploits have been reported in the wild, the risk remains significant due to the common use of SVG in web applications and the potential impact of XSS. The absence of a CVSS score suggests the need for a manual severity assessment. The vulnerability likely stems from insufficient input validation or output encoding in the SVG generation process within DeepSeek’s model component. No patches or fixes are currently linked, indicating that organizations must proactively implement mitigations. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices around SVG content and the need for rigorous content sanitization in web applications.

For European organizations, this XSS vulnerability poses a significant risk to confidentiality and integrity of data processed or displayed via DeepSeek V3.2. Attackers exploiting this flaw could steal session tokens, impersonate users, or manipulate displayed data, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information or disruption of business processes. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, which often handle sensitive data and rely on web-based tools, are particularly at risk. The vulnerability could also facilitate lateral movement within networks if combined with other exploits. The lack of authentication requirement and ease of exploitation via crafted SVG content increases the attack surface. Additionally, reputational damage and regulatory penalties under GDPR could result from data breaches stemming from this vulnerability. The impact is amplified in environments where DeepSeek is integrated with other critical systems or used for data visualization and reporting, as malicious scripts could alter or exfiltrate critical business intelligence.

Organizations should immediately audit their use of DeepSeek V3.2 and any components that generate or render SVG content. Specific mitigations include: 1) Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all SVG content generated or accepted by the application, removing or neutralizing any embedded scripts or event handlers. 2) Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution origins and reduce the impact of any injected scripts. 3) Update or patch DeepSeek as soon as vendor fixes become available; in the absence of official patches, consider disabling SVG rendering features or restricting user input that can influence SVG content. 4) Conduct thorough security testing, including automated scanning and manual code review focused on SVG handling. 5) Monitor web application logs for unusual requests or payloads containing SVG or script tags. 6) Educate developers and security teams on secure handling of SVG and other XML-based content formats. 7) Consider deploying web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting malicious SVG payloads. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific vector of SVG-based XSS and the application’s internal model-generated content.