# CVE-2025-53836: XWiki Rendering is vulnerable to RCE attacks when processing nested macros > Attackers can execute arbitrary code via nested macros in XWiki rendering, bypassing restricted mode restrictions. - **Severity:** Critical 10.0 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H`) - **Exploited in the wild:** Not known - **Login needed:** Any signed-in user - **Attackable:** Over the internet - **Victim action needed:** Not needed - **Fix available:** Yes - **Published:** 14 Jul 2025 - **Updated:** 15 Jul 2025 - **Also known as:** GHSA-32mf-57h2-64x9 ## What is CVE-2025-53836? CVE-2025-53836 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Xwiki Xwiki, published on 14 Jul 2025. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim. ### Official description XWiki Rendering is a generic rendering system that converts textual input in a given syntax (wiki syntax, HTML, etc) into another syntax (XHTML, etc). Starting in version 4.2-milestone-1 and prior to versions 13.10.11, 14.4.7, and 14.10, the default macro content parser doesn't preserve the restricted attribute of the transformation context when executing nested macros. This allows executing macros that are normally forbidden in restricted mode, in particular script macros. The cache and chart macros that are bundled in XWiki use the vulnerable feature. This has been patched in XWiki 13.10.11, 14.4.7 and 14.10. To avoid the exploitation of this bug, comments can be disabled for untrusted users until an upgrade to a patched version has been performed. Note that users with edit rights will still be able to add comments via the object editor even if comments have been disabled. Weakness: CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code), CWE-863 (Incorrect Authorization) ## Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-53836? 6 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.xwiki.rendering:xwiki-rendering-transformation-macro. It affects 1 product. | Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | `org.xwiki.rendering:xwiki-rendering-transformation-macro` | Maven | From 14.0 | 14.4.7 | | `org.xwiki.rendering:xwiki-rendering-transformation-macro` | Maven | From 14.0 | 14.4.7 | | `org.xwiki.rendering:xwiki-rendering-transformation-macro` | Maven | From 14.5 | 14.10 | | `org.xwiki.rendering:xwiki-rendering-transformation-macro` | Maven | From 14.5 | 14.10 | | `org.xwiki.rendering:xwiki-rendering-transformation-macro` | Maven | From 4.2-milestone-1 | 13.10.11 | | `org.xwiki.rendering:xwiki-rendering-transformation-macro` | Maven | From 4.2-milestone-1 | 13.10.11 | Products: Xwiki Xwiki. ## How do I fix CVE-2025-53836? Upgrade org.xwiki.rendering:xwiki-rendering-transformation-macro to a fixed version for your release line: 14.4.7, 14.10 or 13.10.11. ## Is CVE-2025-53836 being exploited? It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2025-53836 exists. ## Other vulnerabilities in Xwiki Xwiki - [CVE-2025-24893](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-24893/): XWiki Platform Eval Injection (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild) - [CVE-2024-55662](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-55662/): XWiki allows remote code execution through the extension sheet (critical 10.0) - [CVE-2024-55877](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-55877/): XWiki allows remote code execution from account through macro descriptions and XWiki.XWikiSyntaxMacrosList (critical 10.0) - [CVE-2024-37901](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-37901/): XWiki Platform vulnerable to remote code execution from account via SearchSuggestConfigSheet (critical 10.0) - [CVE-2024-38369](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-38369/): XWiki programming rights may be inherited by inclusion (critical 10.0) ## Fix prompt for AI coding agents ```text Check this codebase for CVE-2025-53836 and fix it if it is affected. What it is: CVE-2025-53836 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Xwiki Xwiki, published on 14 Jul 2025. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim. Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2025-53836 exists. Affected packages and fixed versions: - org.xwiki.rendering:xwiki-rendering-transformation-macro (Maven): affected from 14.0; fixed in 14.4.7 - org.xwiki.rendering:xwiki-rendering-transformation-macro (Maven): affected from 14.0; fixed in 14.4.7 - org.xwiki.rendering:xwiki-rendering-transformation-macro (Maven): affected from 14.5; fixed in 14.10 - org.xwiki.rendering:xwiki-rendering-transformation-macro (Maven): affected from 14.5; fixed in 14.10 - org.xwiki.rendering:xwiki-rendering-transformation-macro (Maven): affected from 4.2-milestone-1; fixed in 13.10.11 - org.xwiki.rendering:xwiki-rendering-transformation-macro (Maven): affected from 4.2-milestone-1; fixed in 13.10.11 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-2025-53836/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-53836/index.md) ``` ## Sources - CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-53836 - NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-53836 - OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2025-53836 --- From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-53836/ Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.