CVE-2026-23643 in CakePHP
Summary
by MITRE • 01/16/2026
CakePHP is a rapid development framework for PHP. The PaginatorHelper::limitControl() method has a cross-site-scripting vulnerability via query string parameter manipulation. This issue has been fixed in 5.2.12 and 5.3.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-23643 affects CakePHP, a popular rapid development framework for PHP applications. This security flaw resides within the PaginatorHelper::limitControl() method, which is responsible for handling pagination controls in web applications. The issue represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability that arises from improper handling of query string parameters, potentially allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability impacts versions prior to 5.2.12 and 5.3.1, indicating that developers using these framework versions remain exposed to potential exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the PaginatorHelper component. When the limitControl() method processes query string parameters, it fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into HTML output. This creates an opportunity for attackers to manipulate pagination parameters such as limit values, page numbers, or other control variables to inject malicious JavaScript code. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because pagination controls are commonly used throughout web applications and are often directly exposed to user input without adequate security measures.
From an operational perspective, this XSS vulnerability could enable attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of affected users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as it could allow attackers to manipulate the pagination interface to display misleading information or to craft more sophisticated attacks that leverage the application's legitimate functionality. Given that CakePHP is widely used for web application development, the potential attack surface is significant, particularly in applications where users can influence pagination parameters through URL manipulation.
The remediation for this vulnerability involves upgrading to CakePHP versions 5.2.12 or 5.3.1, which contain the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Security teams should prioritize this update across all affected environments and conduct thorough testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in existing functionality. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as input validation, output encoding, and regular security assessments of their web applications. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a common attack vector that appears frequently in the ATT&CK framework under the technique of web application attacks. The fix demonstrates the importance of proper parameter handling and input sanitization in web frameworks to prevent malicious code injection through user-controllable parameters.