Description
Invision Community 5.0.0 before 5.0.7 allows remote code execution via crafted template strings to themeeditor.php. The issue lies within the themeeditor controller (file: /applications/core/modules/front/system/themeeditor.php), where a protected method named customCss can be invoked by unauthenticated users. This method passes the value of the content parameter to the Theme::makeProcessFunction() method; hence it is evaluated by the template engine. Accordingly, this can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code by providing crafted template strings.
EPSS Score:
76%
Comprehensive Technical Analysis of EUVD-2025-15448
1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation
Vulnerability Description:
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:
- Base Score: 10.0 (Critical)
- Base Score Version: CVSS 3.1
- Base Score Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
The CVSS score of 10.0 indicates a critical vulnerability due to the following factors:
- Attack Vector (AV): Network (N)
- Attack Complexity (AC): Low (L)
- Privileges Required (PR): None (N)
- User Interaction (UI): None (N)
- Scope (S): Changed (C)
- Confidentiality (C): High (H)
- Integrity (I): High (H)
- Availability (A): High (H)
This vulnerability is highly exploitable and can lead to severe impacts, including full system compromise.
2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods
Attack Vectors:
- Unauthenticated Access: Attackers can exploit this vulnerability without needing any authentication.
- Remote Code Execution: By crafting malicious template strings, attackers can inject and execute arbitrary PHP code.
Exploitation Methods:
- Crafted Template Strings: Attackers can send specially crafted template strings to the
themeeditor.phpfile, which will be processed by thecustomCssmethod. - PHP Code Injection: The injected PHP code can be executed by the template engine, allowing attackers to perform various malicious actions, such as data exfiltration, system manipulation, and further exploitation.
3. Affected Systems and Software Versions
Affected Software:
- Invision Community versions 5.0.0 through 5.0.6
Affected Systems:
- Any system running the vulnerable versions of Invision Community, including web servers hosting the software.
4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies
Immediate Actions:
- Upgrade: Upgrade to Invision Community version 5.0.7 or later, which addresses this vulnerability.
- Patch Management: Ensure that all software components are up to date with the latest security patches.
Long-Term Mitigations:
- Access Controls: Implement strict access controls and authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access.
- Input Validation: Enhance input validation and sanitization to prevent the injection of malicious code.
- Monitoring: Implement continuous monitoring and logging to detect and respond to suspicious activities.
5. Impact on European Cybersecurity Landscape
Regulatory Compliance:
- Organizations using Invision Community must ensure compliance with relevant regulations, such as GDPR, by addressing this vulnerability promptly.
- Failure to mitigate this vulnerability could result in data breaches, leading to regulatory fines and reputational damage.
Cybersecurity Posture:
- The critical nature of this vulnerability underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity practices, including regular vulnerability assessments and timely patch management.
- European organizations must prioritize cybersecurity to protect against such high-impact vulnerabilities.
6. Technical Details for Security Professionals
Vulnerable Component:
- File:
/applications/core/modules/front/system/themeeditor.php - Method:
customCss
Exploitation Details:
- The
customCssmethod can be invoked by unauthenticated users. - The method passes the
contentparameter toTheme::makeProcessFunction(), which evaluates the input using the template engine. - Crafted template strings can be used to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code.
Mitigation Steps:
- Code Review: Conduct a thorough code review to identify and fix similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application.
- Security Testing: Implement automated security testing to detect and mitigate vulnerabilities during the development lifecycle.
- Incident Response: Develop and maintain an incident response plan to quickly address and mitigate any security incidents.
References:
- Invision Community Release Notes
- Karma Insecurity Advisory
- NVD CVE-2025-47916
- Full Disclosure Mailing List
By addressing this vulnerability promptly and implementing robust cybersecurity measures, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation and protect their systems and data.