CVE-2025-46558: Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability in XWiki’s Markdown Syntax

Overview

CVE-2025-46558 is a high severity vulnerability found in XWiki’s Syntax Markdown, a plugin that allows users to import Markdown content into wiki pages and create wiki content using Markdown. This vulnerability, if exploited, could lead to cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks that can compromise system integrity and potentially lead to data leakage. This poses a significant risk to any organization that utilizes XWiki versions 8.2 to 8.9, as it allows malicious users to embed harmful JavaScript code into wiki content, which is then executed on any user’s browser visiting the infected page.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2025-46558
Severity: High (9.0 CVSS Score)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required
Impact: System compromise, Data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

XWiki | 8.2 to before 8.9

How the Exploit Works

The XSS vulnerability in XWiki’s Markdown syntax allows a malicious user to embed JavaScript code into a wiki document or comment using Markdown. This JavaScript code is then executed on the browser of any user visiting the infected page. If the user executing this code has admin or programming rights, this issue compromises the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the entire XWiki installation.

Conceptual Example Code

Here’s a conceptual example of how the vulnerability might be exploited. This could be an embedded JavaScript code in a Markdown comment:

Comment:
`<script>malicious code goes here</script>`

This code will then be executed on the browser of any user viewing the comment, potentially leading to a system compromise or data leakage.

Impact Summary

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to a full system compromise. This occurs when the malicious JavaScript code is executed by a user with admin or programming rights, compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the entire XWiki installation. It can result in unauthorized access, data leakage, and potential disruption of service.

Mitigation Guidance

Users and administrators are advised to apply the patch provided by the vendor in version 8.9. If the patch cannot be applied immediately, a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can be used as temporary mitigation. It is also recommended to limit user rights and privileges to prevent the execution of malicious code.