CVE-2025-0465
📋 TL;DR
A critical deserialization vulnerability in AquilaCMS allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by manipulating the PostBody.populate parameter in the /api/v2/categories endpoint. This affects all systems running vulnerable versions of AquilaCMS with the API exposed. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable and has public exploit details available.
💻 Affected Systems
- AquilaCMS
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution leading to complete system compromise, data theft, and lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Remote code execution allowing attackers to gain shell access, install malware, or pivot to other systems.
If Mitigated
Attack blocked at network perimeter or application firewall, preventing exploitation attempts.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploit details are publicly available in the GitHub gist reference. Attack requires sending specially crafted HTTP requests to the vulnerable endpoint.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Not available
Vendor Advisory: Not available
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
No official patch available. Vendor did not respond to disclosure. Consider workarounds or alternative CMS solutions.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Block API Endpoint
allBlock access to /api/v2/categories endpoint at web server or firewall level
# Apache: RewriteRule ^/api/v2/categories - [F]
# Nginx: location ~ ^/api/v2/categories { return 403; }
Input Validation
allImplement strict input validation for PostBody.populate parameter
# Validate and sanitize PostBody.populate parameter before deserialization
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate AquilaCMS instance in separate network segment with strict access controls
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block deserialization attack patterns
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if AquilaCMS version is 1.412.13 or earlier and /api/v2/categories endpoint is accessibleCheck Version:
Check AquilaCMS configuration files or admin panel for version informationVerify Fix Applied:
Test if specially crafted requests to /api/v2/categories with PostBody.populate manipulation are blocked📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP requests to /api/v2/categories with unusual PostBody parameters
- Deserialization errors in application logs
- Unusual process execution from web server context
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to /api/v2/categories with serialized data in PostBody.populate
- Outbound connections from web server to suspicious IPs
SIEM Query:
source="web_server" AND (uri="/api/v2/categories" AND (method="POST" OR method="PUT") AND size>1000)