REDAXO: Stored XSS in Mediapool Sync Page via Unescaped Filesystem Filenames
Summary
The mediapool sync page (sync.php) renders filenames from the /media filesystem directory directly into HTML without applying rex_escape() (i.e., htmlspecialchars). Any file placed in the media directory whose filename contains HTML metacharacters will execute JavaScript in the browser of any backend user who views the sync page.
Details
In redaxo/src/addons/mediapool/pages/sync.php, the variable $diffFiles is populated from actual filesystem filenames (files in /media/ not yet registered in the database). These filenames are then rendered without escaping:
File: redaxo/src/addons/mediapool/pages/sync.php:119-120
foreach ($diffFiles as $file) {
if (is_writable(rex_path::media($file))) {
$e = [];
$e['label'] = '<label>' . $file . '</label>'; // NO rex_escape!
$e['field'] = '<input type="checkbox" name="sync_files[]" value="' . $file . '" />'; // NO rex_escape!
$writable[] = $e;
} else {
$notWritable[] = $file;
}
}
File: redaxo/src/addons/mediapool/pages/sync.php:170
$fragment->setVar('body', '<ul><li>' . implode('</li><li>', $notWritable) . '</li></ul>', false);
// $notWritable contains unescaped filenames
By contrast, all other filename displays in the codebase use rex_escape($fname) (e.g., media.detail.php:236, media.list.php). The sync page is accessible to any backend user with the media[sync] permission (not exclusively admins).
PoC
- Place a file named
<img src=x onerror=alert(document.cookie)>.txtinto the REDAXO/media/directory (via backup restore or server access) without adding it to the media database. - Log in as any backend user with
media[sync]permission. - Navigate to Mediapool → Sync.
- The XSS payload executes immediately, stealing the admin session cookie.
Impact
Stored XSS in the admin panel. An attacker who can place files in the media directory (via admin-level backup restore or server access) can achieve persistent XSS against all users who visit the sync page, including higher-privileged admins. This enables session hijacking, credential theft, and full CMS takeover.
Fix
Apply rex_escape() to all filename variables before inserting into HTML:
$e['label'] = '<label>' . rex_escape($file) . '</label>';
$e['field'] = '<input type="checkbox" name="sync_files[]" value="' . rex_escape($file) . '" />';
// ...
$fragment->setVar('body', '<ul><li>' . implode('</li><li>', array_map('rex_escape', $notWritable)) . '</li></ul>', false);
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composer package | redaxo/source | < 5.21.2 | 5.21.2 |
References
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-79- Platform
- Composer
- Package
redaxo/source- Disclosed
- 23.09.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-w998-qmw9-mf4m - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: redaxo/source
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Composer package), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 18
- First → latest
- 02.2024 09.2026
- Without a fix
- 3
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- High 4
- Medium 11
- Low 3
Disclosures per year
- 2024: 3
- 2025: 7
- 2026: 8
-
REDAXO: Stored XSS in Mediapool Sync Page via Unescaped Filesystem Filenames this entry
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