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PHP CVE-2026-31859

MEDIUM
Cross-site Scripting (XSS) (CWE-79)
2026-03-11 security-advisories@github.com GHSA-fvwq-45qv-xvhv
6.1
CVSS 3.1 · GitHub Advisory
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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A05:2025 - Injection
ASVS 5.0
V1 - Encoding and Sanitization Output encoding, context-aware escaping
MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques across 2 tactics: Initial Access, Execution

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to compromise the affected system.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Why: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9).
Patch available 0.0% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Mar 12, 2026

Reflected XSS in Craft CMS versions before 5.9.7 and 4.17.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in users' browsers via malicious return URLs that bypass insufficient sanitization. The vulnerability exists because the patch for a prior issue relied on strip_tags() to filter URLs, which fails to block dangerous URL schemes like javascript:. An attacker can craft a malicious link that, when clicked by an authenticated user, steals session cookies or performs actions on their behalf.

Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
v1 Mar 12, 2026 - 22:06 CVSS 6.1

Craft is a content management system (CMS). The fix for CVE-2025-35939 in craftcms/cms introduced a strip_tags() call in src/web/User.php to sanitize return URLs before they are stored in the session.

RemediationAI

Fixed in version 5.9.7. Implement output encoding and Content Security Policy headers.

Affected Packages

composer craftcms/cms fix: 4.17.3, 5.9.7

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 1 package in composer

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

Classified as CWE-79 (Cross-site Scripting (XSS)). Craft is a content management system (CMS). The fix for CVE-2025-35939 in craftcms/cms introduced a strip_tags() call in src/web/User.php to sanitize return URLs before they are stored in the session. However, strip_tags() only removes HTML tags (angle brackets) -- it does not inspect or filter URL schemes. Payloads like javascript:alert(document.cookie) contain no HTML tags and pass through strip_tags() completely unmodified, enabling reflected XSS when the return URL is rendered in an href att

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Severity by source

GitHub Advisory PRIMARY 6.1 MEDIUM
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N

Primary rating from GitHub Advisory · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorGitHub Advisory

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
Required
Scope
Changed
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
Low
Availability
None

Lifecycle Timeline

2
Patch released
Mar 31, 2026 - 21:13 nvd
Patch available
CVE Published
Mar 11, 2026 - 18:16 nvd
MEDIUM 6.1

DescriptionGitHub Advisory

Craft is a content management system (CMS). The fix for CVE-2025-35939 in craftcms/cms introduced a strip_tags() call in src/web/User.php to sanitize return URLs before they are stored in the session. However, strip_tags() only removes HTML tags (angle brackets) -- it does not inspect or filter URL schemes. Payloads like javascript:alert(document.cookie) contain no HTML tags and pass through strip_tags() completely unmodified, enabling reflected XSS when the return URL is rendered in an href attribute. This vulnerability is fixed in 5.9.7 and 4.17.3.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

Organizations using src/web/User.php to sanitize return URLs should be aware of moderate risk from CVE-2026-31859, a cross-site scripting vulnerability rated CVSS 6.1. Attackers could inject scripts to steal sessions or perform actions as authenticated users. Organizations should apply vendor updates when available and monitor for exploitation.

Business Impact: Low
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch. If patching is delayed: implement CSP headers, enable HttpOnly cookies, deploy WAF XSS rules.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.0%
Top 86% exploitable
Data Quality
5 sources
Confidence: Medium

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity MEDIUM
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.0%
Patch available Yes
Active threat No
Deciding rule
MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived
Defer
Exploitation· derived
None
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable· derived
No
Human Impact
Low

Priority Score

30
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +30
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Cross-Site Scripting occurs when an application accepts untrusted data and sends it to a web browser without proper validation or encoding.

Affected Products (CPE)GitHub Advisory

cpe:2.3:a:craftcms:craft_cms:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:craftcms:craft_cms:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

Related Vulnerabilities in Craft CMS Code Execution

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