CVE-2023-5320Network attack vector

Script execution via unvalidated reference URL

Published Sep 30, 2023 · Updated Sep 23, 2024

DOM cross-site scripting in phpMyFAQ before 3.1.18 allows remote authenticated users to execute script via a crafted reference URL. The configuration update handler stored main.referenceURL without URL validation, allowing a non-URL value to enter the browser DOM as a link target. Exploitation requires configuration-edit privileges and a victim who follows the poisoned link, causing script execution in the victim's browser context.

CVSS severity9.0
Critical
EPSS probability0.49%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

DOM cross-site scripting in phpMyFAQ before 3.1.18 allows remote authenticated users to execute script via a crafted reference URL. The configuration update handler stored main.referenceURL without URL validation, allowing a non-URL value to enter the browser DOM as a link target. Exploitation requires configuration-edit privileges and a victim who follows the poisoned link, causing script execution in the victim's browser context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-5320
Published
Sep 30, 2023
Updated
Sep 23, 2024
Vendor
Thorsten Rinne
Product
phpMyFAQ
Classifications
CWE-79, T1204.001
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 30, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 23, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <3.1.18
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <3.1.18

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Thorsten Rinne · phpMyFAQversion=0 <3.1.18; version=unspecified <3.1.18

Published CVSS scores

6.1NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
9.0huntr.devCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-79Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
T1204.001User Execution: Malicious Link

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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