CVE-2025-49138 HAX CMS vulnerable to Local File Inclusion via saveOutline API Location Parameter
An authenticated low-privileged user can read arbitrary server files via Local File Inclusion in the saveOutline API.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2025-49138?
CVE-2025-49138 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in haxtheweb issues, published on 9 Jun 2025. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
HAX CMS PHP allows users to manage their microsite universe with a PHP backend. Prior to version 11.0.0, an authenticated Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in the HAXCMS saveOutline endpoint allows a low-privileged user to read arbitrary files on the server by manipulating the location field written into site.json. This enables attackers to exfiltrate sensitive system files such as /etc/passwd, application secrets, or configuration files accessible to the web server (www-data). The vulnerability stems from the way the HAXCMS backend handles the location field in the site's outline. When a user sends a POST request to /system/api/saveOutline, the backend stores the provided location value directly into the site.json file associated with the site, without validating or sanitizing the input. Later the location parameter is interpreted by the CMS to resolve and load the content for a given node. If the location field contains a relative path like `../../../etc/passwd`, the application will attempt to read and render that file. Version 11.0.0 fixes the issue.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-49138?
2 open source packages ship an affected version, including elmsln/haxcms. It affects 1 product.
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
elmsln/haxcms Packagist | All versions | 11.0.0 |
elmsln/haxcms Packagist | All versions | 11.0.0 |
Products include Psu Haxcms-Php.
How do I fix CVE-2025-49138?
Upgrade elmsln/haxcms to 11.0.0 or later.
Upgrade, and resolve every user-supplied path against an allowed base folder before opening it. More about Path traversal.
Is CVE-2025-49138 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2025-49138 exists.
Other vulnerabilities in haxtheweb issues
Sources
Also known as GHSA-hxrr-x32w-cg8g.