CVE-2025-47916

Comprehensive Technical Analysis of CVE-2025-47916

1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation

CVE ID: CVE-2025-47916 CVSS Score: 10

The vulnerability in Invision Community 5.0.0 before 5.0.7 allows remote code execution (RCE) via crafted template strings to themeeditor.php. The issue is located in the themeeditor controller, specifically within the customCss method, which can be invoked by unauthenticated users. This method passes the value of the content parameter to the Theme::makeProcessFunction() method, leading to the evaluation of arbitrary PHP code by the template engine.

Severity Evaluation:

• CVSS Score: 10 (Critical)
• Impact: High
• Exploitability: High

The CVSS score of 10 indicates the highest level of severity due to the potential for unauthenticated remote code execution, which can lead to full system compromise.

2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods

Attack Vectors:

• Unauthenticated Access: The vulnerability can be exploited by unauthenticated users, making it highly accessible to attackers.
• Crafted Template Strings: Attackers can craft malicious template strings that, when processed by the themeeditor.php script, result in arbitrary PHP code execution.

Exploitation Methods:

• Direct Exploitation: An attacker can send a specially crafted HTTP request to the themeeditor.php endpoint with a malicious content parameter.
• Automated Scripts: Attackers can use automated scripts to scan for vulnerable instances of Invision Community and exploit the vulnerability en masse.

3. Affected Systems and Software Versions

Affected Software:

• Invision Community versions 5.0.0 to 5.0.6

Affected Systems:

• Any server running the affected versions of Invision Community.
• Systems that have not applied the necessary patches or updates.

4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies

Immediate Actions:

• Patching: Upgrade to Invision Community version 5.0.7 or later, which includes the fix for this vulnerability.
• Access Control: Restrict access to the themeeditor.php endpoint to authenticated users only.
• Input Validation: Implement strict input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied data.

Long-Term Strategies:

• Regular Updates: Ensure that all software, including Invision Community, is regularly updated to the latest versions.
• Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments.
• Monitoring: Implement monitoring and alerting for suspicious activities related to the themeeditor.php endpoint.

5. Impact on Cybersecurity Landscape

The discovery of this vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and thorough security testing. The high CVSS score and the potential for unauthenticated RCE underscore the need for vigilant patch management and proactive security measures. This vulnerability serves as a reminder for organizations to prioritize security in their software development lifecycle (SDLC) and to stay informed about emerging threats.

6. Technical Details for Security Professionals

Vulnerable Code Path:

• The vulnerability resides in the themeeditor controller (/applications/core/modules/front/system/themeeditor.php).
• The customCss method is protected but can be invoked by unauthenticated users.
• The content parameter is passed to Theme::makeProcessFunction(), leading to arbitrary PHP code execution.

Exploit Example:

// Crafted template string
$content = '<?php system("whoami"); ?>';

// HTTP request to exploit the vulnerability
$url = 'http://vulnerable-site.com/themeeditor.php';
$data = ['content' => $content];

// Send the request
$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, 1);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, http_build_query($data));
curl_exec($ch);
curl_close($ch);

Mitigation Code Example:

// Ensure the method is only accessible to authenticated users
if (!$this->isAuthenticated()) {
    throw new UnauthorizedException();
}

// Sanitize and validate the content parameter
$content = sanitizeInput($content);

// Proceed with the original functionality
Theme::makeProcessFunction($content);

Conclusion: CVE-2025-47916 is a critical vulnerability that requires immediate attention. Organizations using Invision Community should prioritize patching and implementing robust security measures to mitigate the risk of exploitation. Regular security audits and proactive monitoring are essential to maintain a strong security posture.