# CVE-2022-42096: Cross-site Scripting in Backdrop CMS

> Attackers can inject malicious scripts into Backdrop CMS posts, potentially stealing user sessions or executing code in victim browsers.

- **Severity:** Medium 4.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** An administrator
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 21 Nov 2022
- **Updated:** 29 Apr 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-g8jw-8vpv-pv5q

## What is CVE-2022-42096?

CVE-2022-42096 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in n/a, published on 21 Nov 2022. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

Backdrop CMS version 1.23.0 was discovered to contain a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability via Post content.

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2022-42096?

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


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `backdrop/backdrop` | Packagist | All versions to 1.23.0 | None |
| `backdrop/backdrop` | Packagist | All versions to 1.23.0 | None |

Products: Backdropcms Backdrop Cms.

## How do I fix CVE-2022-42096?

No fix has been published for CVE-2022-42096 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2022-42096 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2022-42096 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Backdrop CMS version 1.23.0 was discovered to contain a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability via the Post content. (github_poc): https://github.com/bypazs/CVE-2022-42096
- Backdrop CMS version 1.23.0 - Cross Site Scripting (Stored) (nuclei): http/cves/2022/CVE-2022-42096.yaml

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2019-14771](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-14771/): File upload in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2022-42092](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-42092/): Backdrop CMS Unrestricted File Upload vulnerability (high 7.2)
- [CVE-2019-19902](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-19902/): File upload in n/a (high 7.2)
- [CVE-2025-63828](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-63828/): Backdrop CMS Host Header Injection vulnerability (medium 6.1)
- [CVE-2025-44141](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-44141/): Cross-site scripting in n/a (medium 6.1)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2022-42096 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2022-42096 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in n/a, published on 21 Nov 2022. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, 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-2022-42096 exists.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- backdrop/backdrop (Packagist): affected all versions up to 1.23.0; no fix listed
- backdrop/backdrop (Packagist): affected all versions up to 1.23.0; no fix listed

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-2022-42096/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-42096/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2022-42096
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-42096
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2022-42096

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-42096/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.