RCE in Xwiki
CVE-2025-53836
XWiki Rendering is a generic rendering system that converts textual input in a given syntax (wiki syntax, HTML, etc) into another syntax (XHTML, etc). Starting in version 4.2-milestone-1 and prior to versions 13.10.11, 14.4.7, and 14.10, the default macro content parser doesn't preserve the restricted attribute of the transformation context when executing nested macros. This allows executing macros that are normally forbidden in restricted mode, in particular script macros. The cache and chart macros that are bundled in XWiki use the vulnerable feature. This has been patched in XWiki 13.10.11, 14.4.7 and 14.10. To avoid the exploitation of this bug, comments can be disabled for untrusted users until an upgrade to a patched version has been performed. Note that users with edit rights will still be able to add comments via the object editor even if comments have been disabled.
Vulnerability class: RCE (Remote Code Execution)
EPSS: 0.005 (43.3th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 9.9 (Critical). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H.
Affected products
- Xwiki — versions 4.2
- Xwiki Xwiki-rendering — versions >= 4.2-milestone-1, < 13.10.11, >= 14.0, < 14.4.7, >= 14.5, < 14.10
Weakness classification (CWE)
Public proof-of-concept exploits
References
- security-advisories@github.com (x_refsource_CONFIRM, Third Party Advisory)
- security-advisories@github.com (Patch, x_refsource_MISC)
- security-advisories@github.com (Exploit, x_refsource_MISC, Issue Tracking)
- security-advisories@github.com (Exploit, x_refsource_MISC, Issue Tracking)
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2025-53836?
- CVE-2025-53836 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Xwiki, classified under Code Injection. CVSS score: 9.9/10. Published 2025-07-15.
- How severe is CVE-2025-53836?
- Critical severity. CVSS v3 base score is 9.9 out of 10.
- Is CVE-2025-53836 known to be exploited?
- 1 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.