# CVE-2021-37502: Cross site scripting in automad/automad

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code via XSS in the user name field when adding a user in automad.

- **Severity:** Medium 5.4 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 3 Feb 2023
- **Updated:** 26 Mar 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-q3c8-65q7-9v78

## What is CVE-2021-37502?

CVE-2021-37502 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in n/a, published on 3 Feb 2023. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in automad 1.7.5 allows remote attackers to run arbitrary code via the user name field when adding a user.

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-37502?

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


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `automad/automad` | Packagist | All versions | 1.8.0 |
| `automad/automad` | Packagist | All versions | 1.8.0 |

Products: Automad Automad.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-37502?

Upgrade automad/automad to 1.8.0 or later.

## Is CVE-2021-37502 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2021-37502 exists.

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2024-40400](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-40400/): Automad arbitrary file upload vulnerability (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2023-7037](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-7037/): automad FileController.php import server-side request forgery (medium 6.3)
- [CVE-2024-40111](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-40111/): Cross-site scripting in n/a (medium 4.8)
- [CVE-2023-7035](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-7035/): automad Setting post.php cross site scripting (medium 4.8)
- [CVE-2023-7036](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-7036/): automad Content Type FileCollectionController.php upload unrestricted upload (medium 4.7)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-37502 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-37502 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in n/a, published on 3 Feb 2023. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2021-37502 exists.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- automad/automad (Packagist): affected all versions; fixed in 1.8.0
- automad/automad (Packagist): affected all versions; fixed in 1.8.0

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-2021-37502/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-37502/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-37502
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-37502
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-37502

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-37502/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.