HAX CMS vulnerable to Local File Inclusion via saveOutline API Location Parameter
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Information disclosure
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · None · None
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and GitHub. Impact type from CWE-22 and the CVSS impact.
Summary
HAX CMS PHP allows users to manage their microsite universe with a PHP backend. Prior to version 11.0.0, an authenticated Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in the HAXCMS saveOutline endpoint allows a low-privileged user to read arbitrary files on the server by manipulating the location field written into site.json. This enables attackers to exfiltrate sensitive system files such as /etc/passwd, application secrets, or configuration files accessible to the web server (www-data). The vulnerability stems from the way the HAXCMS backend handles the location field in the site's outline. When a user sends a POST request to /system/api/saveOutline, the backend stores the provided location value directly into the site.json file associated with the site, without validating or sanitizing the input. Later the location parameter is interpreted by the CMS to resolve and load the content for a given node. If the location field contains a relative path like `../../../etc/passwd`, the application will attempt to read and render that file. Version 11.0.0 fixes the issue.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- Poc
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| haxtheweb | issues | before 11.0.0 | 11.0.0 | Patch available | CNA |
| — | elmsln/haxcms (Packagist) | before 11.0.0 | 11.0.0 | Patch available | GHSA-hxrr-x32w-cg8g |
- issues Vendorhaxtheweb Affected before 11.0.0 Fixed in 11.0.0 Patch available CNA
- elmsln/haxcms (Packagist) Vendor— Affected before 11.0.0 Fixed in 11.0.0 Patch available GHSA-hxrr-x32w-cg8g
Remediation
- Fix · CNA issues (haxtheweb) Fixed in 11.0.0
- Fix · GHSA-hxrr-x32w-cg8g elmsln/haxcms (Packagist) Fixed in 11.0.0 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2025-49138
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-hxrr-x32w-cg8g
References
More haxtheweb Haxcms-php vulnerabilities
- TI-2025-23152 HAX CMS PHP allows Insecure File Upload to Lead to Remote Code Execution CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2025-31221 HaxCMS-PHP Command Injection Vulnerability CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2025-34187 HAX CMS Backend Lacks Comprehensive Authorization Checks CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.3
- TI-2025-31217 Hax CMS Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.5
- TI-2025-31219 @haxtheweb/haxcms-nodejs Iframe Phishing vulnerability CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.5
- TI-2025-33982 HAX CMS' application pages are vulnerable to clickjacking CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.1
Sources
- CVE-2025-49138 · CVE Program
- CVE-2025-49138 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-hxrr-x32w-cg8g · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
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