CVE-2025-68116 is a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in FileRise, a self-hosted web file manager and WebDAV server, affecting versions prior to 2.7.1. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically when handling user-uploaded files that can be rendered by browsers, such as SVG and HTML files. Attackers can upload specially crafted SVG (primarily) or HTML (secondarily) files to a vulnerable FileRise instance. When a victim accesses the generated share link (/api/file/share.php) or, in some cases, the direct download endpoint (/api/file/download.php), the malicious JavaScript embedded in these files executes within the victim’s browser context. This allows attackers to perform actions such as stealing session cookies, executing arbitrary scripts, or manipulating the victim’s interaction with the web application. The vulnerability requires the attacker to have the ability to upload files to the server, which implies some level of privilege or user interaction, and the victim must open the malicious share or download link, indicating user interaction is necessary. The CVSS 3.1 score of 8.9 reflects the vulnerability’s high impact on confidentiality and integrity, with low attack complexity and no need for elevated privileges beyond upload capability. The vulnerability affects the sharing and download endpoints due to insufficient sanitization of file content before rendering, allowing script injection. The issue was resolved in FileRise version 2.7.1 by implementing proper input validation and output encoding to neutralize malicious scripts embedded in user-uploaded files. No known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date, but the potential for exploitation remains significant due to the nature of the vulnerability and the common use of file sharing in enterprise environments.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data managed via FileRise. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of the victim’s browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, unauthorized access to internal resources, or the spread of malware. The impact extends to availability, albeit to a lesser extent, as attackers might disrupt user sessions or cause application instability. Organizations relying on FileRise for internal or external file sharing could face data breaches, reputational damage, and compliance violations under GDPR if personal data is exposed. The vulnerability’s exploitation requires user interaction, typically opening a malicious share link, which may be facilitated through phishing or social engineering campaigns targeting employees. Given the increasing reliance on remote work and digital collaboration tools in Europe, the risk of exploitation is heightened. Additionally, sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, which handle sensitive or regulated data, are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of such an attack. The lack of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive mitigation before widespread attacks occur.

1. Immediate upgrade of all FileRise instances to version 2.7.1 or later to apply the official patch that fixes the XSS vulnerability. 2. Implement strict file upload validation policies that restrict allowed file types and scan uploaded files for malicious content, especially SVG and HTML files. 3. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers accessing FileRise endpoints. 4. Monitor and audit share link creation and usage to detect unusual patterns or access from unexpected IP addresses. 5. Educate users about the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious file share links, emphasizing phishing awareness. 6. Where possible, disable or restrict public sharing features if not required by business processes. 7. Use web application firewalls (WAFs) configured to detect and block XSS payloads targeting FileRise endpoints. 8. Regularly review and update security configurations and conduct penetration testing focused on file upload and sharing functionalities. 9. Maintain comprehensive logging of file uploads and downloads to support incident investigation if exploitation occurs. 10. Consider network segmentation to isolate FileRise servers from critical infrastructure to limit lateral movement in case of compromise.