CVE-2025-65881 identifies a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Sourcecodester Zoo Management System version 1.0, specifically located in the /classes/Login.php file. XSS vulnerabilities occur when an application does not properly sanitize user-supplied input, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of other users. In this case, the vulnerability likely arises from insufficient input validation or output encoding in the login handling code, enabling an attacker to craft input that is reflected back and executed by the victim’s browser. This can lead to theft of session cookies, redirection to malicious sites, or execution of unauthorized actions under the victim’s credentials. The vulnerability is categorized as a reflected or stored XSS depending on the exact injection point, though the data does not specify which. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, and no public exploits are known, indicating it may be a newly discovered or low-profile issue. The affected software is a niche web application designed for managing zoo operations, which may limit the scope of impact but still poses a risk to organizations relying on it. The lack of patch links suggests that no official fix has been released at the time of publication, so mitigation must rely on manual code review and input sanitization. The vulnerability’s presence in the login module is particularly concerning as it may affect authentication workflows and user sessions.

For European organizations using the Sourcecodester Zoo Management System, this XSS vulnerability could compromise the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and data. Attackers exploiting this flaw could hijack administrator or staff sessions, manipulate zoo management data, or perform unauthorized actions within the system. This could lead to operational disruptions, data breaches involving sensitive information about animals, staff, or visitors, and reputational damage. While the system’s niche usage limits broad impact, zoos and related institutions in Europe that rely on this software could face targeted attacks. Additionally, if the system integrates with other internal networks or databases, the vulnerability could serve as an entry point for broader network compromise. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the vulnerability’s presence in a critical login component elevates its potential impact if weaponized. The impact on availability is likely low, but confidentiality and integrity risks are moderate to high depending on exploitation success.

To mitigate CVE-2025-65881, organizations should immediately audit the /classes/Login.php code for input validation and output encoding weaknesses. Implement strict input sanitization to reject or neutralize malicious script payloads, using established libraries or frameworks that handle XSS prevention. Employ output encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding before rendering user-supplied data in the browser. If possible, apply Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution sources and reduce the impact of any injected scripts. Monitor web application logs for suspicious input patterns indicative of XSS attempts. Since no official patch is currently available, consider isolating or restricting access to the vulnerable login module until a fix is released. Educate users and administrators about phishing and social engineering risks that may leverage XSS attacks. Finally, plan for timely application of patches or upgrades once the vendor releases a secure version.