XWiki XSS via xdom+xml in XHTML 5.4.5-14.9
CVE-2025-53835 Published on July 14, 2025
XWiki Rendering is vulnerable to XSS attacks through insecure XHTML syntax
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 5.4.5 and prior to version 14.10, the XHTML syntax depended on the `xdom+xml/current` syntax which allows the creation of raw blocks that permit the insertion of arbitrary HTML content including JavaScript. This allows XSS attacks for users who can edit a document like their user profile (enabled by default). This has been fixed in version 14.10 by removing the dependency on the `xdom+xml/current` syntax from the XHTML syntax. Note that the `xdom+xml` syntax is still vulnerable to this attack. As it's main purpose is testing and its use is quite difficult, this syntax shouldn't be installed or used on a regular wiki. There are no known workarounds apart from upgrading.
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2025-53835 can be exploited with network access, requires user interaction and a small amount of user privileges. This vulnerability is considered to have a low attack complexity. Public availability of a proof of concept (POC) exploit exists for CVE-2025-53835. The potential impact of an exploit of this vulnerability is considered to be critical as this vulnerability has a high impact to the confidentiality, integrity and availability of this component.
Weakness Types
What is a XSS Vulnerability?
The software does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes user-controllable input before it is placed in output that is used as a web page that is served to other users.
CVE-2025-53835 has been classified to as a XSS vulnerability or weakness.
What is a Basic XSS Vulnerability?
The software receives input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special characters such as "<", ">", and "&" that could be interpreted as web-scripting elements when they are sent to a downstream component that processes web pages. This may allow such characters to be treated as control characters, which are executed client-side in the context of the user's session. Although this can be classified as an injection problem, the more pertinent issue is the improper conversion of such special characters to respective context-appropriate entities before displaying them to the user.
CVE-2025-53835 has been classified to as a Basic XSS vulnerability or weakness.
Products Associated with CVE-2025-53835
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Affected Versions
xwiki-rendering Version >= 5.4.5, < 14.10 is affected by CVE-2025-53835Vulnerable Packages
The following package name and versions may be associated with CVE-2025-53835
| Package Manager | Vulnerable Package | Versions | Fixed In |
|---|---|---|---|
| maven | org.xwiki.rendering:xwiki-rendering-syntax-xhtml | >= 5.4.5, < 14.10 | 14.10 |
Exploit Probability
EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System) scores estimate the probability that a vulnerability will be exploited in the wild within the next 30 days. The percentile shows you how this score compares to all other vulnerabilities.