Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2025-2749 is a high-severity Kentico Xperience flaw that can let a privileged authenticated user upload files into unintended server paths. If abused, that upload can become server-side code execution. Because CISA lists it in KEV, treat exposed Kentico environments as an active risk, not a theoretical backlog item.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation now for any internet-exposed or business-critical Kentico deployment. KEV status means exploitation has been observed, and successful abuse can lead to full server compromise. This is a patch-and-validate item, not only a monitoring concern.
Technical view
Kentico Xperience through 13.0.178 is affected by authenticated remote code execution involving the Staging Sync Server. The issue combines path traversal and arbitrary file upload, mapped to CWE-22 and CWE-434. CVSS 3.1 is 7.2 with network access, low complexity, high privileges, no user interaction, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely where Kentico Xperience staging synchronization is enabled or reachable and authenticated users have access to staging sync functionality. Internet-facing administrative or staging services deserve immediate review. The bundle does not identify specific deployment patterns beyond Kentico Xperience through 13.0.178.
Exploitation context
Active exploitation is supported by the CISA KEV listing. Public technical and exploit-tagged research is also referenced, increasing operational risk. The vulnerability requires high privileges, so credential compromise, overbroad staging access, or malicious insiders materially change likelihood.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports authenticated RCE via path-relative arbitrary upload in Kentico Xperience through 13.0.178. The source bundle does not provide full vendor fix details, exact fixed build language, or confirmed indicators of compromise. Avoid assuming exposure unless staging sync and affected versions are confirmed.
Mitigation direction
- Apply Kentico vendor hotfix guidance; do not remain on Xperience through 13.0.178.
- Restrict access to staging synchronization and administrative surfaces to trusted networks and users.
- Review privileged Kentico accounts and remove unnecessary staging permissions.
- Monitor vendor and CISA guidance for updated remediation or compromise indicators.
- Preserve logs before major remediation if compromise is suspected.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Kentico Xperience versions and identify any deployments at or below 13.0.178.
- Confirm whether Staging Sync Server functionality is enabled or reachable.
- Review privileged user access to staging and media upload capabilities.
- Check web roots and upload locations for unexpected server-executable files.
- Review Kentico, web server, and authentication logs for suspicious authenticated upload activity.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-22: File access and web shell behavior lookup
File traversal and upload weaknesses can lead teams to review file, web shell, execution, and collection telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCWE-434: File access and web shell behavior lookup
File traversal and upload weaknesses can lead teams to review file, web shell, execution, and collection telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupFile access behavior lookup
The CVE wording references file access or upload behavior, so file telemetry and web shell review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2025-2749 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.2 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CISA KEV status
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.25.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.2HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://labs.watchtowr.com/bypassing-authentication-like-its-the-90s-pre-auth-rce-chain-s-in-kentico-xperience-cms/CVE reference · technical-description, exploit
- https://devnet.kentico.com/download/hotfixesCVE reference · vendor-advisory, patch
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/kentico-xperience-staging-media-file-upload-authenticated-rceCVE reference · third-party-advisory
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2025-2749CVE reference · government-resource
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.
Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type
Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.