SemanticMediaWiki reflected XSS via Special:FacetedSearch cstate parameter
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Active
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- None
- Impact type
- Cross-site scripting
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · None · None
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-79.
Summary
SemanticMediaWiki from 4.2.0 before 7.2.1 contains a reflected cross-site scripting flaw (CWE-79) in Special:FacetedSearch. The cstate parameters are not escaped, so HTML can break out of hidden input attributes. An unauthenticated remote attacker can craft a URL that runs script in a victim's browser when the victim opens it. A public exploit is linked in the references.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-04
Description from the CNA
SemanticMediaWiki from 4.2.0 before 7.2.1 contains a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to inject HTML via unescaped cstate parameters in Special:FacetedSearch. Attackers can craft URLs with q, a matching crc32 csum or filtered=1, and cstate values that break out of hidden input attributes to execute script in victims' browsers.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SemanticMediaWiki | SemanticMediaWiki | 4.2.0 to before 7.2.1 | 7.2.1 | Patch available | CNA |
- SemanticMediaWiki VendorSemanticMediaWiki Affected 4.2.0 to before 7.2.1 Fixed in 7.2.1 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 1
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:semantic-mediawiki:semantic_mediawiki:*:*:*:*:*:mediawiki:*:* | 4.2.0 to before 7.2.1 | Vulnerable | SemanticMediaWiki |
- cpe:2.3:a:semantic-mediawiki:semantic_mediawiki:*:*:*:*:*:mediawiki:*:* Versions 4.2.0 to before 7.2.1 Vulnerable ·SemanticMediaWiki
Remediation
Upgrade SemanticMediaWiki to 7.2.1, the version that fixes this flaw.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-04
- Fix · CNA SemanticMediaWiki (SemanticMediaWiki) Fixed in 7.2.1
Timeline
- 2026-10-27 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-116891
- 2026-10-27 Alias added: GHSA-8x9p-9f27-hxfj
- 2026-11-04 CISA SSVC decision points changed
- 2026-11-04 Priority changed: LOW → MEDIUM
References
More SemanticMediaWiki Semantic Mediawiki vulnerabilities
- TI-2026-81081 Resource exhaustion in Semantic MediaWiki via #set_recurring_event CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.7
- TI-2026-81076 Semantic MediaWiki search lets attackers exhaust CPU via long terms CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.7
- TI-2026-81075 Uncontrolled recursion in Semantic MediaWiki via Special:Ask CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.7
- TI-2026-81077 Missing authorization in Semantic MediaWiki smwtask API CVSS 4.0MEDIUM 6.9
- TI-2026-81084 Cross-site request forgery in Semantic MediaWiki SMWAdmin page CVSS 4.0HIGH 7.1
- TI-2026-81083 Missing authorization in Semantic MediaWiki smwtask update task CVSS 4.0MEDIUM 6.9
Sources
- CVE-2026-116891 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-116891 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-8x9p-9f27-hxfj · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences