Actively exploited

CVE-2025-23209 Craft CMS Code Injection Vulnerability

Craft CMS contains a code injection vulnerability caused by improper validation of the database backup path, ultimately enabling remote code execution.

From the CISA KEV catalogue version 2026.11.06, with Cybergen analysis. Updated 6 Nov 2026.

Our Assessment

Should You Worry?

Patch urgentlyCybergen assessment

CISA confirmed exploitation in the wild and added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on 20 Feb 2025.
Rated High severity (CVSS 8.1, scored by Vendor).
It has been in the catalogue for 624 days. Systems still unpatched now have almost certainly been scanned for it.

The Vulnerability

What It Is

Craft is a flexible, user-friendly CMS for creating custom digital experiences on the web and beyond. This is an remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability that affects Craft 4 and 5 installs where your security key has already been compromised. Anyone running an unpatched version of Craft with a compromised security key is affected. This vulnerability has been patched in Craft 5.5.8 and 4.13.8. Users who cannot update to a patched version, should rotate their security keys and ensure their privacy to help migitgate the issue.

Affected Versions

Product	Versions
craftcms cms	>= 5.0.0-RC1, < 5.5.5 >= 4.0.0-RC1, < 4.13.8

From the public CVE record, as supplied by the vendor. Always confirm against the vendor advisory.

From Watch to Action

What To Do Now

1
Find it
Search your asset inventory and external attack surface for Craft CMS. Include cloud images, appliances and anything a supplier runs for you.
Attack Surface Management
2
Fix it
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Vulnerability Management
3
Hunt for compromise
If an affected system was reachable before you patched, assume it may have been hit. Check logs, new accounts, web shells and outbound connections from the date of exposure.
Incident Response
4
Prove it is fixed
Rescan or test the system after patching. Upgrades that fail silently and forgotten secondary instances are common.
Penetration Testing

Vendor Advisories

Regulation

The Compliance Clock

Cyber EssentialsRated high, so if it affects devices in your Cyber Essentials scope, the update must be installed within 14 days of the vendor releasing it.NIS2If exploitation causes a significant incident, essential and important entities owe their CSIRT an early warning within 24 hours and a notification within 72 hours.DORAFinancial entities must classify ICT incidents and send an initial notification for a major incident within strict deadlines, with exploited flaws a common cause.US federal (BOD 22-01)Federal civilian agencies had until 13 Mar 2025 to remediate. A sensible benchmark for everyone else.

General guidance, not legal advice. Your obligations depend on your sector, scope and jurisdiction.

Stay Ahead

More Exploited Craft CMS Flaws

All 4 exploited Craft CMS vulnerabilities

Not Sure If You Are Exposed?

Our attack surface and vulnerability teams can check your internet-facing estate for CVE-2025-23209 and every other exploited flaw on the list.

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Evidence

PREVENTION

DETECTION & MITIGATION

GRC

INCIDENT RESPONSE

CLOUD SECURITY

CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

REGULATED SERVICES

PUBLIC SERVICES

COMMERCIAL

THREAT INTELLIGENCE

MANAGED SECURITY

NETWORK & CLOUD

RISK & COMPLIANCE

DATA & APPLICATIONS

PEOPLE & EMAIL

FOR VENDORS

CVE-2025-23209 Craft CMS Code Injection Vulnerability

Should You Worry?

What It Is

Affected Versions

What To Do Now

Find it

Fix it

Hunt for compromise

Prove it is fixed

Vendor Advisories

The Compliance Clock

More Exploited Craft CMS Flaws

Not Sure If You Are Exposed?

Sources