CVE-2025-9145 is a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in Scada-LTS version 2.7.8.1, specifically within the SVG File Handler component that processes the file view_edit.shtm. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization or validation of the 'backgroundImageMP' argument, allowing an attacker to inject malicious scripts. This flaw can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, although user interaction is necessary to trigger the malicious payload. The vulnerability is classified with a CVSS 4.0 base score of 5.1 (medium severity), reflecting its moderate impact and ease of exploitation. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), with low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:L), and user interaction required (UI:P). The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality and integrity of the affected system to a limited extent, with no direct impact on availability. The exploit allows an attacker to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions within the SCADA-LTS web interface. Although no known exploits are currently observed in the wild, the public disclosure increases the risk of exploitation. SCADA-LTS is a supervisory control and data acquisition system used for industrial control and monitoring, making this vulnerability relevant to critical infrastructure environments. The lack of available patches at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate mitigation efforts to reduce exposure.

For European organizations, especially those operating critical infrastructure such as energy, water management, manufacturing, and transportation sectors that rely on SCADA-LTS, this vulnerability poses a tangible risk. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute malicious scripts within the SCADA system's web interface, potentially leading to unauthorized access to control functions, manipulation of monitoring data, or disruption of operational processes. While the vulnerability does not directly compromise system availability, the integrity and confidentiality of control commands and monitoring data could be affected, undermining trust in the system and potentially causing operational inefficiencies or safety hazards. Given the increasing targeting of industrial control systems by cyber adversaries in Europe, this vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks or as part of broader campaigns aiming to disrupt critical infrastructure. The requirement for user interaction somewhat limits the attack scope but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where operators frequently interact with the SCADA web interface. The medium severity rating suggests that while the threat is not immediately critical, it demands timely attention to prevent escalation or chaining with other vulnerabilities.

To mitigate this vulnerability effectively, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Immediately restrict access to the SCADA-LTS web interface to trusted networks and users by enforcing strict network segmentation and firewall rules, minimizing exposure to the internet or untrusted networks. 2) Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious payloads targeting the 'backgroundImageMP' parameter or similar inputs in the SVG File Handler component. 3) Conduct thorough input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied data within the SCADA-LTS environment, particularly focusing on parameters that influence SVG rendering or file handling. 4) Educate operators and users on the risks of interacting with unsolicited or suspicious links that could trigger XSS attacks, emphasizing cautious behavior when accessing the SCADA web interface. 5) Monitor logs and network traffic for anomalous activities indicative of XSS exploitation attempts, such as unusual script execution or unexpected parameter values. 6) Engage with the SCADA-LTS vendor or community to obtain patches or updates addressing this vulnerability as soon as they become available, and plan for timely deployment. 7) Consider deploying Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts within the SCADA web interface. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific attack vector and operational context of SCADA-LTS systems.