Description
An authentication bypass vulnerability in Kentico Xperience allows authentication bypass via the Staging Sync Server password handling of empty SHA1 usernames in digest authentication. Authentication bypass allows an attacker to control administrative objects.This issue affects Xperience through 13.0.172.
EPSS Score:
0%
Comprehensive Technical Analysis of EUVD-2025-8008
1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation
The vulnerability EUVD-2025-8008, also known as CVE-2025-2746, is an authentication bypass issue in Kentico Xperience. This vulnerability allows an attacker to bypass authentication mechanisms by exploiting the Staging Sync Server's handling of empty SHA1 usernames in digest authentication. The severity of this vulnerability is rated at a base score of 9.8 using CVSS 3.1, which is considered critical. The vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H indicates the following:
- Attack Vector (AV): Network (N) - The vulnerability is exploitable over the network.
- Attack Complexity (AC): Low (L) - The attack requires minimal skill or resources.
- Privileges Required (PR): None (N) - No privileges are required to exploit the vulnerability.
- User Interaction (UI): None (N) - No user interaction is required.
- Scope (S): Unchanged (U) - The vulnerability does not change the security scope.
- Confidentiality (C): High (H) - There is a high impact on confidentiality.
- Integrity (I): High (H) - There is a high impact on integrity.
- Availability (A): High (H) - There is a high impact on availability.
2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods
The primary attack vector involves exploiting the Staging Sync Server's password handling mechanism. Specifically, an attacker can leverage empty SHA1 usernames in digest authentication to bypass the authentication process. This allows the attacker to gain unauthorized access to administrative objects, potentially leading to full control over the system.
Potential exploitation methods include:
- Network Scanning: Identifying vulnerable Kentico Xperience installations.
- Authentication Bypass: Crafting malicious requests to exploit the empty SHA1 username vulnerability.
- Post-Exploitation: Once authenticated, the attacker can manipulate administrative objects, leading to further compromise.
3. Affected Systems and Software Versions
The vulnerability affects Kentico Xperience versions up to and including 13.0.172. Organizations using these versions are at risk and should prioritize mitigation efforts.
4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies
To mitigate this vulnerability, the following steps are recommended:
- Patch Management: Apply the latest hotfixes and updates provided by Kentico. Ensure that all instances of Kentico Xperience are updated to a version that addresses this vulnerability.
- Network Segmentation: Implement network segmentation to limit the exposure of vulnerable systems.
- Access Controls: Enforce strict access controls and monitor for unauthorized access attempts.
- Intrusion Detection: Deploy intrusion detection systems (IDS) to monitor for suspicious activity related to this vulnerability.
- Regular Audits: Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and address potential security gaps.
5. Impact on European Cybersecurity Landscape
The impact of this vulnerability on the European cybersecurity landscape is significant. Given the widespread use of Kentico Xperience in various industries, including government, healthcare, and finance, the potential for data breaches and unauthorized access is high. Organizations must act swiftly to mitigate this risk to protect sensitive information and maintain compliance with regulations such as GDPR.
6. Technical Details for Security Professionals
For security professionals, the following technical details are pertinent:
- Vulnerability Identification: The vulnerability can be identified by reviewing the Staging Sync Server's authentication logs for unusual activity, particularly empty SHA1 usernames.
- Exploit Detection: Implementing logging and monitoring for digest authentication attempts can help detect exploitation attempts.
- Code Review: Conducting a thorough code review of the authentication mechanisms in Kentico Xperience can help identify similar vulnerabilities.
- Incident Response: Develop an incident response plan that includes steps for identifying, containing, and remediating the vulnerability.
References:
By addressing this vulnerability promptly and effectively, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches.