CVE-2026-1563 in Pega Platform
Summary
by MITRE • 07/15/2026
Pega Platform versions 8.1.0 through 25.1.2 are affected by an Reflected Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in a user interface component. Requires a high privileged user with a developer role.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2026
This reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the Pega Platform user interface components across versions 8.1.0 through 25.1.2, representing a critical security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web responses. The flaw specifically manifests in how the platform handles user input within its web interfaces, where improperly sanitized parameters are returned to users without adequate output encoding or validation mechanisms. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses that occur when an application fails to properly validate or encode user-controllable data before including it in dynamically generated web content.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires a high privileged user with developer role access, indicating that the attack vector is not publicly accessible but rather leverages existing elevated privileges within the system. This privilege requirement aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which describes legitimate credentials being used to gain access to systems, suggesting that either credential theft or insider threat scenarios could lead to exploitation. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, manipulate application data, or redirect victims to malicious sites.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are significant for organizations utilizing Pega Platform as it creates potential entry points for advanced persistent threats and lateral movement within the network. Attackers could leverage this weakness to establish persistent access to sensitive business applications and data repositories that Pega Platform typically manages. The reflected nature of the XSS means that malicious payloads would need to be delivered through crafted URLs or form submissions, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might be tricked into clicking malicious links within internal communications or collaboration platforms.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation controls, output encoding of all user-supplied data, and comprehensive web application firewall rules to detect and block suspicious script patterns. The recommended approach includes enabling Content Security Policy headers, implementing proper parameter sanitization at multiple layers, and conducting thorough security testing of all user interface components. Additionally, privileged access should be closely monitored and restricted to least-privilege principles as outlined in NIST SP 800-53 controls for access control and system monitoring. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the Pega Platform ecosystem and ensure comprehensive protection against evolving threat landscapes.