CVE-2026-25060 is a vulnerability in the OpenList software developed by OpenListTeam, specifically affecting versions prior to 4.1.10. The root cause is the default configuration in the internal configuration file (internal/conf/config.go) where the TlsInsecureSkipVerify setting is set to true. This setting disables TLS certificate verification for all storage driver communications, effectively allowing the system to accept any TLS certificate without validation. As a result, an attacker with network access can perform Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks by intercepting or redirecting traffic through techniques such as ARP spoofing, rogue Wi-Fi access points, or compromised internal network devices. Because the system does not verify certificates, it will establish encrypted connections with attacker-controlled endpoints, enabling full decryption and manipulation of data in transit. This compromises the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of storage operations, potentially leading to data theft, unauthorized data modification, or disruption of services. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.1, indicating high severity, with attack vector being network-based but requiring high attack complexity and no privileges or user interaction. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability presents a significant risk due to the ease of intercepting network traffic in many environments. The issue is resolved in OpenList version 4.1.10, where certificate verification is enabled by default.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a critical risk to any infrastructure using OpenList versions prior to 4.1.10, particularly those handling sensitive or regulated data. The ability to intercept and manipulate storage communications can lead to exposure of confidential information, data integrity violations, and potential service disruptions. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure are especially vulnerable due to the sensitivity of their data and regulatory compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR). Additionally, organizations with distributed networks or remote offices using unsecured or public networks are at higher risk of network-level attacks facilitating exploitation. The vulnerability could also be leveraged for lateral movement within internal networks if attackers gain initial access. The high CVSS score reflects the severe impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, making this a significant threat to European enterprises relying on affected OpenList versions.

1. Immediate upgrade to OpenList version 4.1.10 or later, where TLS certificate verification is enabled by default, is the primary and most effective mitigation. 2. Until the upgrade is applied, manually configure the TlsInsecureSkipVerify setting to false in the configuration files to enforce certificate validation. 3. Implement network segmentation and strict access controls to limit exposure of storage communication channels to trusted network segments only. 4. Deploy network security measures such as intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) to detect ARP spoofing, rogue access points, and other network-level attacks. 5. Use strong network encryption and VPNs for remote or wireless connections to reduce the risk of traffic interception. 6. Conduct regular network traffic monitoring and anomaly detection to identify suspicious activities indicative of MitM attacks. 7. Educate network administrators and security teams about the risks of disabled certificate verification and the importance of secure TLS configurations. 8. Review and audit all OpenList deployments to ensure no legacy versions remain in production environments.