CVE-2026-0601 is a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in Sonatype Nexus Repository version 3.82.0. The root cause is improper neutralization of user-supplied input during the generation of web pages, classified under CWE-79. This flaw allows an unauthenticated attacker to craft a malicious URL or request that, when visited or interacted with by a legitimate user, executes arbitrary JavaScript code within the victim’s browser context. The vulnerability does not require any authentication or privileges, but successful exploitation depends on user interaction, such as clicking a malicious link. The impact of this vulnerability includes potential theft of session cookies, redirection to malicious sites, or execution of actions on behalf of the user within the Nexus Repository interface. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no authentication (AT:N), user interaction required (UI:A), and limited scope (S:L). No known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the medium severity score (5.1) reflects the risk posed by this vulnerability in environments where Nexus Repository is used. Since Nexus Repository is widely used in software development pipelines for artifact management, exploitation could indirectly affect software supply chain security. The lack of available patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate attention to mitigation strategies.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2026-0601 can be significant, especially for those relying on Nexus Repository 3.82.0 for managing software artifacts and dependencies. Successful exploitation could lead to session hijacking, unauthorized actions within the repository, or redirection to malicious sites, potentially compromising the integrity of the software supply chain. This could result in the injection of malicious code into software artifacts, leading to widespread downstream compromise. Additionally, attackers could leverage this vulnerability to steal credentials or tokens, facilitating further lateral movement within corporate networks. The requirement for user interaction limits automated exploitation but does not eliminate risk, particularly in environments with many users accessing the repository interface. Given the strategic importance of software development and DevOps in European industries, including finance, manufacturing, and technology sectors, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk to operational security and data integrity.

1. Immediately upgrade Nexus Repository to a patched version once available from Sonatype. 2. Until a patch is released, implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious requests containing malicious scripts targeting the repository interface. 3. Educate users to avoid clicking on untrusted or suspicious links related to Nexus Repository. 4. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in the repository web interface. 5. Monitor web server logs for unusual request patterns indicative of attempted XSS exploitation. 6. Limit access to the Nexus Repository web interface to trusted networks or VPNs to reduce exposure. 7. Regularly review and sanitize all user inputs and URL parameters in custom integrations or plugins interacting with Nexus Repository. 8. Conduct security awareness training emphasizing the risks of social engineering and phishing that could facilitate user interaction with malicious payloads.