CVE-2025-55522
📋 TL;DR
This cross-site scripting vulnerability in Akaunting v3.1.18 allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the name parameter of the /common/reports component. When exploited, it enables execution of arbitrary JavaScript in victims' browsers, potentially compromising user sessions and data. Organizations using the vulnerable Akaunting version are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Akaunting
📦 What is this software?
Akaunting by Akaunting
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers steal administrator credentials, hijack user sessions, deface the application, or redirect users to malicious sites, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Likely Case
Attackers steal session cookies or user credentials, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, or conduct phishing attacks within the application.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, the impact is limited to minor data exposure or UI manipulation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires crafting a malicious payload and convincing users to interact with it. No public exploit code is available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: v3.1.19 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/akaunting/akaunting/security/advisories
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Backup your Akaunting installation and database. 2. Update to Akaunting v3.1.19 or later via composer update or manual upgrade. 3. Verify the fix by testing the /common/reports endpoint.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Input Validation Filter
allImplement server-side input validation to sanitize the name parameter before processing.
Add input sanitization in the reports controller for the name parameter
Content Security Policy
allImplement a strict Content Security Policy header to mitigate XSS impact.
Add header: Content-Security-Policy: default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement a web application firewall (WAF) with XSS protection rules
- Disable or restrict access to the /common/reports component if not required
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Test the /common/reports endpoint by submitting a payload like <script>alert('test')</script> in the name parameter and check if it executes.Check Version:
php artisan versionVerify Fix Applied:
After patching, repeat the vulnerability test to confirm the payload is properly sanitized and doesn't execute.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to /common/reports with script tags in parameters
- Multiple failed XSS attempts in web server logs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing script tags or JavaScript in the name parameter
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND uri_path="/common/reports" AND (param_name="name" AND param_value MATCHES "<script.*>.*</script>")