# CVE-2023-49489: Cross-site scripting in n/a

> Attackers can execute arbitrary scripts via the APP_HOST parameter to steal sensitive information and escalate privileges in KodExplorer.

- **Severity:** Medium 6.1 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/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:** No
- **Published:** 19 Dec 2023
- **Updated:** 7 May 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-jf62-v9fg-87mj

## What is CVE-2023-49489?

CVE-2023-49489 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in n/a, published on 19 Dec 2023. 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

Reflective Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in KodExplorer version 4.51, allows attackers to obtain sensitive information and escalate privileges via the APP_HOST parameter at config/i18n/en/main.php.

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-49489?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Kodcloud Kodexplorer.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-49489?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-49489 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2023-49489 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-49489 exists.

Public exploit code:

- KodeExplorer 4.51 - Reflective Cross Site Scripting (XSS) (nuclei): http/cves/2023/CVE-2023-49489.yaml

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2022-46154](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-46154/): Arbitrary file access in KodExplorer (high 8.6)
- [CVE-2023-6850](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-6850/): kalcaddle KodExplorer API Endpoint unrestricted upload (medium 6.3)
- [CVE-2023-6851](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-6851/): kalcaddle KodExplorer ZIP Archive app.php unzipList code injection (medium 6.3)
- [CVE-2023-6852](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-6852/): kalcaddle KodExplorer app.php server-side request forgery (medium 6.3)
- [CVE-2023-6853](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-6853/): kalcaddle KodExplorer app.php index server-side request forgery (medium 6.3)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-49489 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-49489 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in n/a, published on 19 Dec 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, 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-2023-49489 exists.

Affected product: n/a. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

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-2023-49489/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-49489/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-49489
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-49489
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-49489

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-49489/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.