CVE-2025-62249 Overview
CVE-2025-62249 is a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting Liferay Portal and Liferay Digital Experience Platform (DXP). The flaw resides in the google_gadget component and allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to inject JavaScript that executes in a victim's browser session. The vulnerability is categorized under [CWE-79] Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation.
Affected releases include Liferay Portal 7.4.0 through 7.4.3.132 and multiple Liferay DXP quarterly releases spanning 2023.Q4 through 2025.Q3. Because the injection point is reachable without authentication, attackers can weaponize crafted links in phishing or watering-hole campaigns.
Critical Impact
An unauthenticated remote attacker can execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of a Liferay user's browser, enabling session theft, portal defacement, and credential harvesting.
Affected Products
- Liferay Portal 7.4.0 through 7.4.3.132
- Liferay DXP 2025.Q3.0–2025.Q3.2, 2025.Q2.0–2025.Q2.12, 2025.Q1.0–2025.Q1.17
- Liferay DXP 2024.Q4.0–2024.Q4.7, 2024.Q3.1–2024.Q3.13, 2024.Q2.0–2024.Q2.13, 2024.Q1.1–2024.Q1.20, and 2023.Q4.0–2023.Q4.10
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-10-21 - CVE-2025-62249 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in the NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-62249
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2025-62249 is a reflected XSS flaw in the google_gadget functionality exposed by Liferay Portal and DXP. The server accepts attacker-controlled input through a request parameter processed by the gadget endpoint and reflects that input into the HTML response without adequate output encoding or contextual sanitization. When a victim loads the crafted URL, the browser parses the reflected payload as executable script.
Because the endpoint does not require authentication, the attacker only needs to deliver the malicious link to a target. Successful exploitation runs JavaScript with the origin and privileges of the Liferay site, which affects the confidentiality and integrity of session data, portal content, and any linked applications sharing the same origin.
The scope of impact reaches beyond a single user session. Attackers can pivot the reflected script to call authenticated Liferay REST endpoints on behalf of the victim, exfiltrate CSRF tokens, or stage further browser-based attacks against administrators.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing output encoding in the code path that renders parameters supplied to the google_gadget handler. Liferay accepts values intended to configure gadget behavior and injects them into the HTML response without HTML entity escaping or JavaScript context escaping, which violates [CWE-79] requirements for output neutralization.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and requires user interaction limited to visiting a crafted URL. The attacker constructs a Liferay URL that references the vulnerable google_gadget endpoint with a JavaScript payload embedded in a reflected parameter. Delivery typically occurs through phishing email, malicious advertising, or a link on an attacker-controlled site. Refer to the Liferay Security Advisory CVE-2025-62249 for vendor technical detail.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-62249
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to Liferay google_gadget paths containing <script>, javascript:, onerror=, or URL-encoded equivalents such as %3Cscript%3E in query parameters.
- Referrer headers pointing to untrusted external domains immediately preceding requests to portal administrative endpoints.
- Anomalous outbound requests from user browsers to attacker-controlled hosts shortly after loading a Liferay page.
Detection Strategies
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules that inspect query strings and POST bodies destined for google_gadget handlers for common XSS token patterns.
- Enable Liferay access logging and alert on unusually long query parameters or parameters containing HTML tag characters.
- Correlate web server logs with authentication events to identify session token reuse from unexpected IP addresses following a suspicious link click.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Ingest Liferay HTTP access logs into a centralized SIEM or data lake and build detections for reflected XSS payload signatures.
- Monitor Content Security Policy (CSP) violation reports to surface script injection attempts blocked in-browser.
- Track user-agent and geolocation anomalies for accounts accessing Liferay administrative interfaces after clicking external links.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-62249
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Liferay Portal and DXP to a fixed release identified in the Liferay Security Advisory CVE-2025-62249.
- Inventory all internet-exposed Liferay instances and prioritize patching of externally reachable portals.
- Rotate session cookies and administrative credentials if log review indicates prior exploitation attempts.
Patch Information
Liferay has published a security advisory tracking remediated versions for CVE-2025-62249. Administrators should apply the vendor-supplied fix pack or upgrade to a supported quarterly release later than the affected ranges. Consult the Liferay Security Advisory CVE-2025-62249 for exact fixed versions and applicability to each DXP release train.
Workarounds
- Block or restrict access to the google_gadget endpoint at a reverse proxy or WAF until the patch is applied.
- Enforce a strict Content Security Policy that disallows inline script execution to reduce the blast radius of reflected XSS payloads.
- Educate users and administrators to avoid clicking untrusted links that reference the portal domain and to report suspicious URLs.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
