CVE-2025-68461 is a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability categorized under CWE-79 that affects Roundcube Webmail versions before 1.5.12 and 1.6 before 1.6.12. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically through the animate tag within SVG documents. SVG files can embed scripts or animation elements, and if user-supplied SVG content is not properly sanitized, an attacker can inject malicious JavaScript code. When a victim's browser renders the malicious SVG, the injected script executes in the context of the Roundcube Webmail domain, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of the user, or redirect users to malicious sites. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N) indicates that the vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without authentication or user interaction, with low attack complexity. The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component, increasing its impact. Confidentiality and integrity are impacted, but availability is not affected. No known exploits are reported in the wild yet, but the vulnerability's characteristics make it a prime candidate for exploitation in phishing or targeted attacks. Roundcube is widely used as an open-source webmail client, often deployed by organizations and hosting providers, making this vulnerability relevant to a broad user base.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-68461 can be significant. Many enterprises, educational institutions, and hosting providers in Europe use Roundcube Webmail due to its open-source nature and flexibility. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to email accounts, leakage of sensitive communications, and potential lateral movement within networks. The vulnerability's ability to execute scripts without user interaction or authentication increases the risk of automated attacks and large-scale exploitation campaigns. Confidentiality breaches could expose personal data protected under GDPR, leading to regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Integrity compromises could allow attackers to manipulate email content or perform phishing attacks from legitimate accounts, undermining trust. Although availability is not directly impacted, the indirect consequences of compromised email accounts can disrupt business operations and communication channels. The cross-site scripting flaw also poses risks to users accessing Roundcube via browsers, potentially affecting remote workers and mobile users. Given the network-exposed nature of webmail, the attack surface is broad, and organizations without timely patching or mitigations are vulnerable to exploitation.

To mitigate CVE-2025-68461, European organizations should immediately upgrade Roundcube Webmail installations to version 1.5.12 or 1.6.12 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. If immediate upgrading is not feasible, organizations should implement strict Content Security Policies (CSP) that restrict script execution and disallow inline scripts or untrusted sources, reducing the risk of XSS exploitation. Input sanitization should be enhanced, particularly for SVG content, by filtering or disabling the animate tag and other potentially dangerous SVG elements. Web application firewalls (WAFs) can be configured to detect and block malicious payloads targeting SVG or XSS vectors. Organizations should audit their email systems for signs of compromise and monitor logs for suspicious activity related to webmail access. User awareness training should emphasize the risks of phishing and suspicious email content that could exploit such vulnerabilities. Additionally, isolating webmail services in segmented network zones and enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA) can limit the impact of compromised credentials. Regular vulnerability scanning and patch management processes should be enforced to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.