Authenticated PHP execution via callable return reuse
Published Nov 25, 2025 · Updated Nov 25, 2025
Remote code execution in affected Contao 4.x and 5.x releases allows remote authenticated users to invoke arbitrary parameterless PHP functions. Template::once() applies is_callable() to a captured callback that it overwrites with the closure's return value, so a returned function-name string is invoked when the template value is accessed again. The attacker needs back-end access and precise control of a template closure; successful use runs the function in the web application process.
Summary
What happened
Remote code execution in affected Contao 4.x and 5.x releases allows remote authenticated users to invoke arbitrary parameterless PHP functions. Template::once() applies is_callable() to a captured callback that it overwrites with the closure's return value, so a returned function-name string is invoked when the template value is accessed again. The attacker needs back-end access and precise control of a template closure; successful use runs the function in the web application process.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-65960
- Published
- Nov 25, 2025
- Updated
- Nov 25, 2025
- Vendor
- Contao
- Product
- Contao
- Classifications
- CWE-351, T1059
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Nov 25, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Nov 25, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=>= 4.0.0, < 4.13.57
- Affected versionversion=>= 5.0.0-RC1, < 5.3.42
- Affected versionversion=>= 5.4.0-RC1, < 5.6.5
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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