CVE-2025-9569 is a Reflected Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Sunnet eHRD CTMS (Clinical Trial Management System). This vulnerability arises due to improper neutralization of input during web page generation, classified under CWE-79. Specifically, the application fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied input before reflecting it back in the web response, allowing an unauthenticated remote attacker to inject arbitrary JavaScript code. Exploitation typically involves crafting malicious URLs or payloads that, when clicked by a user (often via phishing), execute the injected script in the victim's browser context. The vulnerability does not require authentication, making it accessible to any remote attacker. The CVSS v4.0 base score is 5.1 (medium severity), reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges or user interaction required for the attacker, but user interaction is needed for the victim to trigger the payload. The impact primarily affects confidentiality and integrity at a limited scope, as the attacker can execute scripts that may steal session tokens, manipulate the DOM, or perform actions on behalf of the user. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability affects version 0 of the product, which may indicate an initial or early release version. Given the nature of CTMS software, which manages sensitive clinical trial data, the presence of XSS could facilitate further attacks such as session hijacking, phishing, or unauthorized data access if combined with other vulnerabilities or social engineering.

For European organizations, especially those involved in clinical research, pharmaceutical trials, or healthcare data management, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. The eHRD CTMS likely stores sensitive patient data, trial protocols, and regulatory information, making confidentiality paramount. Successful exploitation could lead to session hijacking, enabling attackers to impersonate legitimate users and access or manipulate sensitive data. Additionally, attackers could use the XSS flaw to deliver further malware or phishing payloads targeting users within the organization. This could undermine data integrity and trust in clinical trial results, potentially causing regulatory compliance issues under GDPR and other healthcare data protection laws. Furthermore, the reputational damage from a breach involving clinical trial data could be severe, impacting partnerships and funding. Although the vulnerability requires user interaction, phishing campaigns targeting clinical staff or researchers could be effective vectors. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation increases the attack surface, making it easier for external threat actors to attempt attacks.

1. Immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding: Developers should ensure that all user-supplied inputs are properly sanitized and encoded before being reflected in web pages, using context-appropriate escaping techniques (e.g., HTML entity encoding). 2. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP): Deploy strict CSP headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts and reduce the impact of XSS attacks. 3. User awareness training: Educate clinical staff and users on recognizing phishing attempts and suspicious links to reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation. 4. Web Application Firewall (WAF): Configure WAF rules to detect and block common XSS attack patterns targeting the eHRD CTMS. 5. Patch management: Monitor Sunnet’s advisories for official patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 6. Multi-factor authentication (MFA): Although not directly preventing XSS, MFA can mitigate the impact of session hijacking by requiring additional authentication factors. 7. Regular security assessments: Conduct periodic penetration testing and code reviews focusing on input validation and output encoding to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities proactively.