CVE-2025-2746

Remediation/Mitigation Strategy for CVE-2025-2746: Kentico Xperience Authentication Bypass

Vulnerability: Authentication Bypass in Kentico Xperience

Description: An authentication bypass vulnerability exists in Kentico Xperience, specifically related to the Staging Sync Server’s handling of digest authentication. The vulnerability arises from the handling of empty SHA1 usernames during the Staging Sync Server password verification process. By exploiting this flaw, an attacker can bypass authentication and gain unauthorized access, potentially allowing control over administrative objects within the Kentico Xperience platform.

Affected Versions: Kentico Xperience versions up to and including 13.0.172.

Severity: Critical

CVSS Score: 9.8 (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)

  • AV:N (Network): The vulnerability is exploitable over the network.
  • AC:L (Low): The vulnerability is easily exploitable.
  • PR:N (None): No privileges are required to exploit the vulnerability.
  • UI:N (None): No user interaction is required to exploit the vulnerability.
  • S:U (Unchanged): The vulnerability does not affect other system components.
  • C:H (High): High impact on confidentiality; an attacker can access sensitive information.
  • I:H (High): High impact on integrity; an attacker can modify data.
  • A:H (High): High impact on availability; an attacker can disrupt services.

Known Exploit: The description mentions exploitation is possible due to the flawed handling of empty SHA1 usernames in digest authentication. While specific exploit code may not be publicly available (and should not be shared if it were), the description provides a clear understanding of the attack vector. An attacker can likely craft malicious requests using an empty SHA1 username during the authentication process with the Staging Sync Server.

Remediation Strategy:

  1. Immediate Action: Upgrade Kentico Xperience: The primary and most effective remediation is to upgrade to a version of Kentico Xperience that addresses this vulnerability. Check the Kentico website or release notes for patches or newer versions that include a fix for CVE-2025-2746. Upgrading is crucial to remove the vulnerable code entirely.

  2. Disable Staging Sync Server (If Possible): If the Staging Sync Server is not currently essential for your workflow, consider temporarily disabling it until a patch or upgrade can be applied. This will eliminate the attack surface for this particular vulnerability. Caution: Carefully assess the impact of disabling the Staging Sync Server before proceeding.

  3. Network Segmentation: Implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of a successful exploit. Isolate the Kentico Xperience server on a separate network segment with restricted access. This prevents an attacker who compromises the server from easily pivoting to other systems on the network.

  4. Monitor Logs and Network Traffic: Closely monitor server logs and network traffic for any suspicious activity, especially related to authentication attempts on the Staging Sync Server. Look for patterns indicative of exploitation attempts, such as repeated failed authentication attempts or requests with empty usernames. Implement alerting mechanisms to notify security personnel of any unusual activity.

  5. Implement Strong Authentication Controls: While addressing the vulnerability itself is paramount, reinforce overall authentication security by:

    • Enforcing strong password policies for all Kentico Xperience users.
    • Consider implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) where possible.
    • Review and remove any unnecessary or inactive user accounts.

Mitigation Strategy (While Awaiting Patch/Upgrade):

  • Web Application Firewall (WAF) Rules (If Applicable): If you have a Web Application Firewall (WAF) in place, you can attempt to create custom rules to block requests that exhibit characteristics of the exploit, such as requests with empty or invalid SHA1 usernames during digest authentication. However, this is a temporary measure and may not be completely effective in preventing exploitation. Carefully test any WAF rules to avoid false positives that could disrupt legitimate traffic.
  • Restrict Access to Staging Sync Server: Limit access to the Staging Sync Server to only authorized IP addresses or networks. This reduces the potential attack surface by preventing unauthorized hosts from attempting to connect.

Long-Term Strategy:

  • Vulnerability Management Program: Establish a formal vulnerability management program that includes regular vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, and timely patching of all systems, including Kentico Xperience.
  • Security Awareness Training: Provide regular security awareness training to employees to educate them about common attack vectors and how to identify and report suspicious activity.
  • Regularly Review Security Configuration: Periodically review and update the security configuration of your Kentico Xperience installation and other systems to ensure they are properly hardened.

Disclaimer: This remediation/mitigation strategy is based on the information provided and general security best practices. It is essential to consult with your security team and Kentico Xperience documentation for the most accurate and effective solutions for your specific environment. The effectiveness of mitigation strategies is not guaranteed and patching/upgrading remains the primary recommendation.

Assigner

Date

  • Published Date: 2025-03-24 18:16:04
  • Updated Date: 2025-03-24 19:15:51

More Details

CVE-2025-2746