CVE-2025-40642 Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) in WebWork
Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code via reflected XSS in WebWork's search parameters, requiring immediate attention from site administrators.
- 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
- None listed
What is CVE-2025-40642?
CVE-2025-40642 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in WebWork PHP script, published on 8 Sep 2025. 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
Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in WebWork, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through the 'q' and 'engine' request parameters in /search.
Weakness: CWE-79
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-40642?
How do I fix CVE-2025-40642?
No fix has been published for CVE-2025-40642 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-2025-40642 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-40642 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-4jcr-hvqv-jqh7.