# CVE-2017-9071: MODX Revolution XSS via HTTP Host header

> Attackers can inject scripts via HTTP Host header in MODX Revolution, requiring cache poisoning for exploitation, leading to potential code execution.

- **Severity:** Medium 4.7 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 18 May 2017
- **Updated:** 17 Sep 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-p2j4-vrgx-96qg

## What is CVE-2017-9071?

CVE-2017-9071 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in n/a, published on 18 May 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

In MODX Revolution before 2.5.7, an attacker might be able to trigger XSS by injecting a payload into the HTTP Host header of a request. This is exploitable only in conjunction with other issues such as Cache Poisoning.

Weakness: CWE-79 (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-9071?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including modx/revolution. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `modx/revolution` | Packagist | All versions | 2.5.7 |
| `modx/revolution` | Packagist | All versions | 2.5.7 |

Products: Modx Modx Revolution.

## How do I fix CVE-2017-9071?

Upgrade modx/revolution to 2.5.7 or later.

## Is CVE-2017-9071 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-9071 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2017-7321](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-7321/): Code injection in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2017-7324](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-7324/): Code injection in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2020-25911](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-25911/): XML External Entity vulnerability in MODX CMS (critical 9.1)
- [CVE-2017-9069](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-9069/): MODX Revolution allows overwriting .htaccess (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2017-7322](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-7322/): Weak cryptography in n/a (high 8.1)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2017-9071 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2017-9071 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in n/a, published on 18 May 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-9071 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- modx/revolution (Packagist): affected all versions; fixed in 2.5.7
- modx/revolution (Packagist): affected all versions; fixed in 2.5.7

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-9071/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-9071/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-9071
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-9071
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2017-9071

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-9071/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.