XWiki Platform Stored Cross-site Scripting in the user profile via the timezone displayer
Impact
Any registered user can exploit a stored XSS through their user profile by setting the payload as the value of the time zone user preference. Even though the time zone is selected from a drop down (no free text value) it can still be set from JavaScript (using the browser developer tools) or by calling the save URL on the user profile with the right query string. Once the time zone is set it is displayed without escaping which means the payload gets executed for any user that visits the malicious user profile, allowing the attacker to steal information and even gain more access rights (escalation to programming rights).
The problem is present since version 4.1M2 when the time zone user preference was introduced.
Patches
The issue has been fixed in XWiki 14.10.5 and 15.1RC1 by https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform/commit/d11ca5d781f8a42a85bc98eb82306c1431e764d4 . The main fix is in the displayer_timezone.vm precisely at this line:
$!escapetool.xml($value)By escaping the displayed time zone value we make sure the attacker's payload is not executed.
Workarounds
If you want to fix this problem on older versions of XWiki that have not been patched then you need to edit displayer_timezone.vm and escape the displayed time zone value here:
- $!value
+ $!escapetool.xml($value)References
- JIRA issue https://jira.xwiki.org/browse/XWIKI-20276
- Fix https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform/commit/d11ca5d781f8a42a85bc98eb82306c1431e764d4
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:
- Open an issue in Jira XWiki.org
- Email us at Security Mailing List
Attribution
This vulnerability has been found and reported by @michitux .
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-web-templates | >= 4.1-milestone-2, < 14.10.5 | 14.10.5 |
References
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-79- Platform
- Java / Kotlin (Maven)
- Package
org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-web-templates- Disclosed
- 21.08.2023
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 11:21
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-h8cm-3v5f-rgp6 - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-web-templates
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Java / Kotlin (Maven)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 23
- First → latest
- 02.2022 04.2026
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 10
- High 4
- Medium 8
- Low 1
Disclosures per year
- 2022: 5
- 2023: 12
- 2024: 2
- 2025: 2
- 2026: 2
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