CVE-2023-53904 Xenforo 2.2.13 Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting via Smilie Categories
Authenticated administrators can inject malicious scripts via smilie category titles, leading to stored XSS and potential client-side attacks.
- 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
- None listed
What is CVE-2023-53904?
CVE-2023-53904 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in Xenforo, published on 17 Dec 2025. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
Xenforo 2.2.13 contains a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows authenticated administrators to inject malicious scripts through the smilie category title parameter. Attackers can create a smilie category with a malicious script that will execute when the admin panel is loaded, potentially enabling further client-side attacks.
Weakness: CWE-79
Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-53904?
How do I fix CVE-2023-53904?
No fix has been published for CVE-2023-53904 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Escape output for the context it lands in and set a strict Content Security Policy. Upgrading the affected component is the real fix. More about Cross-site scripting.
Is CVE-2023-53904 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-53904 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-9c7h-vhfv-w99x.