CVE-2025-2775: SysAid On-Prem Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference Vulnerability
SysAid · SysAid On-Prem · NVD published 2025-05-07 · posted 2025-07-22 · last modified 2026-06-17
What it is
SysAid On-Prem versions <= 23.3.40 are vulnerable to an unauthenticated XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in the Checkin processing functionality, allowing for administrator account takeover and file read primitives.
| Weakness | CWE-611 |
|---|---|
| CVSS vector | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N (source: [email protected]) |
| CISA due date | 2025-08-12 (for US federal agencies under BOD; a good deadline for everyone) |
| ATT&CK tactics | Initial Access → Collection |
Exploitation evidence
First exploit evidence seen: 2025-05-07 (earliest date across the sources below).
Exploited in the wild
- CISA KEV: listed since 2025-07-22. Source
Public exploit code
GitHub proof-of-concept repositories
1 public repositories from 1 accounts, first seen 2025-05-07. Most starred: watchtowrlabs/watchTowr-vs-SysAid-PreAuth-RCE-Chain (12 stars), view repository.
Verify before running: public PoCs can be malicious. Read the code and only run it in an isolated lab. A PoC means exploit code is public, not that this CVE is exploited in the wild.
Sources: CISA KEV · nomi-sec/PoC-in-GitHub.
Defend the Chain
The attack chain for CVE-2025-2775 laid across the MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise tactics. Solid cards come from the MITRE CTID KEV mappings; dashed cards are inferred by CVERadar from the CWE or description. Correct defences are real ATT&CK mitigations for that technique.
Pick a red technique card on the board, then choose the defence that stops it.
Defend against T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application Inferred
Inferred from CWE CWE-611
How to fix it
CISA required action
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. (source: CISA KEV)
Fixed versions
- sysaid sysaid: versions up to and including 23.3.40 are affected; check the vendor advisory for the fixed release.
Derived from the NVD CPE configuration (versionEndExcluding / versionEndIncluding). Always confirm with the vendor advisory.
Vendor advisories and patches
- https://documentation.sysaid.com/docs/24-40-60 (CISA KEV notes)
MITRE ATT&CK mitigations for this chain
- M1048 Application Isolation and Sandboxing (for T1190) : Application isolation will limit what other processes and system features the exploited target can access.
- M1037 Filter Network Traffic (for T1190) : Restrict outbound network traffic from public-facing servers to prevent unauthorized connections from initiating communications with attacker-controlled infrastructure. While this may not prevent the initial exploitation, it limits the attacker's ability to verify and control the compromised server post-exploit, reduci
- M1030 Network Segmentation (for T1190) : Segment externally facing servers and services from the rest of the network with a DMZ or on separate hosting infrastructure.
- M1016 Vulnerability Scanning (for T1190) : Regularly scan externally facing systems for vulnerabilities and establish procedures to rapidly patch systems when critical vulnerabilities are discovered through scanning and through public disclosure.
- M1026 Privileged Account Management (for T1190) : Use least privilege for service accounts will limit what permissions the exploited process gets on the rest of the system.
- M1050 Exploit Protection (for T1190) : Web Application Firewalls may be used to limit exposure of applications to prevent exploit traffic from reaching the application.
- M1035 Limit Access to Resource Over Network (for T1190) : Ensure that all publicly exposed services are actually intended to be so, and restrict access to any that should only be available internally.
- M1051 Update Software (for T1190) : Update software regularly by employing patch management for externally exposed applications.
- M1057 Data Loss Prevention (for T1005) : Data loss prevention can restrict access to sensitive data and detect sensitive data that is unencrypted.
Detection Generic guidance
- Initial Access: Alert on unusual requests to the affected service (odd paths, oversized payloads, exploit strings) in WAF, reverse-proxy and application logs.
- Collection: Watch for bulk reads of databases, file shares or mailboxes by the affected service.
Response checklist Generic guidance
- Inventory: find every instance of the affected product and version (include internet-facing and forgotten ones).
- Patch or mitigate per the vendor advisory; if you cannot patch, remove internet exposure or apply the vendor workaround.
- Assume compromise if the system was exposed before patching: hunt for the indicators in the advisory and review logs back to the disclosure date.
- Rotate credentials and secrets stored on or used by the affected system if compromise cannot be ruled out.
Sources
- NVD: CVE-2025-2775
- CVE.org record
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
- FIRST EPSS (2026-10-24)
- https://labs.watchtowr.com/sysowned-your-friendly-rce-support-ticket/ (Exploit, Third Party Advisory)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2025-2775 (US Government Resource)