CVE-2025-65573 identifies a Cross Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the AllskyTeam AllSky software, specifically version 2024.12.06_06. CSRF vulnerabilities occur when an attacker tricks an authenticated user’s browser into submitting unauthorized requests to a web application, exploiting the trust that the application places in the user’s browser. In this case, the vulnerable function is handle_interface_POST_and_status, which processes POST requests related to the interface and status of the AllSky application. By crafting a malicious request, a remote attacker can cause the application to enter a denial of service state, potentially disrupting the availability of the service. The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, increasing the risk of exploitation. Although no exploits have been reported in the wild, the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and could be targeted in the future. The absence of a CVSS score means the severity must be inferred from the nature of the vulnerability: it impacts availability, is remotely exploitable without credentials, and affects a specialized software product used in astronomy and scientific data collection. The lack of patch information suggests that users should apply mitigations proactively. This vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing robust CSRF protections in web applications, especially those controlling critical scientific instrumentation or data collection services.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-65573 is a denial of service condition, which affects the availability of the AllSky software. For European organizations, especially research institutions, universities, and observatories using AllSky for astronomical data collection and monitoring, this could result in loss of critical observational data, disruption of scientific experiments, and operational downtime. The disruption could delay research outputs and affect collaborative projects dependent on continuous data streams. Additionally, if AllSky is integrated into larger scientific infrastructure or networked environments, the DoS could have cascading effects on dependent systems. While confidentiality and integrity are not directly impacted, the availability loss alone can have significant operational and reputational consequences. The ease of exploitation without authentication increases the threat level, as attackers do not need privileged access. However, the specialized nature of the software limits the scope to organizations using this specific product, reducing the overall attack surface but concentrating risk in niche scientific sectors.

To mitigate CVE-2025-65573, organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Apply any available patches or updates from AllskyTeam as soon as they are released. 2) If patches are not yet available, deploy web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block suspicious POST requests targeting the handle_interface_POST_and_status function. 3) Implement CSRF tokens in all forms and POST request handlers within the AllSky interface to ensure that requests originate from legitimate users. 4) Restrict access to the AllSky web interface to trusted networks or VPNs to reduce exposure to remote attackers. 5) Monitor logs for unusual POST request patterns or repeated access attempts that could indicate exploitation attempts. 6) Educate users and administrators about the risks of CSRF and encourage secure session management practices. 7) Consider network segmentation for systems running AllSky to isolate them from broader enterprise networks. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific vulnerable function and the operational context of AllSky deployments.