CVE-2026-22704 in HAX
Summary
by MITRE • 01/10/2026
HAX CMS helps manage microsite universe with PHP or NodeJs backends. In versions 11.0.6 to before 25.0.0, HAX CMS is vulnerable to stored XSS, which could lead to account takeover. This issue has been patched in version 25.0.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2026
HAX CMS represents a content management system designed to facilitate the creation and management of microsite universes through both PHP and Node.js backend implementations. The vulnerability identified in CVE-2026-22704 affects a specific range of versions from 11.0.6 through versions prior to 25.0.0, indicating a prolonged period during which the system remained susceptible to malicious exploitation. This stored cross-site scripting vulnerability represents a critical security weakness that directly impacts user authentication and system integrity within the CMS environment.
The technical flaw manifests as a stored XSS vulnerability that occurs when user-supplied input containing malicious scripts is processed and stored within the CMS database or application storage. When other users access pages that retrieve and display this malicious content, the embedded scripts execute in their browser context, potentially capturing session cookies, credentials, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of the victims. This vulnerability operates through the standard XSS attack vector where malicious payloads are injected into application inputs and subsequently stored, making the attack persistent and affecting multiple users who encounter the compromised content. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-079, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it creates a pathway for full account takeover scenarios. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can establish persistent access to user accounts, potentially gaining administrative privileges within the CMS environment. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload remains active until manually removed from the system, allowing for extended periods of unauthorized access and potential data exfiltration. This threat model aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which focuses on "Modify Existing Service" and T1190 which addresses "Exploit Public-Facing Application" by enabling attackers to leverage the CMS as a platform for further compromise.
Organizations utilizing affected versions of HAX CMS face significant risk of unauthorized access to their content management systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's persistence through stored data means that even if the initial injection point is patched, the malicious content already present in the system continues to pose a threat. The account takeover capability creates cascading security issues where attacker access can extend to sensitive content management functions, user data manipulation, and potential lateral movement within the organization's digital infrastructure. Security teams must also consider the potential for this vulnerability to be exploited in conjunction with other attack vectors, as the compromised accounts could provide access to additional systems within the organization's network.
The remediation strategy centers on upgrading to version 25.0.0 or later, which includes the necessary patches to address the stored XSS vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive testing procedures to ensure that the upgrade does not introduce compatibility issues with existing content or custom implementations. Security measures should include thorough input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify any potential regressions or new attack surfaces that may have been introduced through the CMS upgrade process. Additionally, organizations should conduct security awareness training for administrators to recognize potential social engineering attempts that might exploit this vulnerability, particularly focusing on the importance of validating all user-generated content before it becomes part of the system's persistent data store.