CVE-2026-48532 in Archiver
Summary
by MITRE • 07/23/2026
GFI Archiver before 15.13 contains a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability in the File History Retention Policy configuration that allows authenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the policy name parameter to /Archiver/FAARetentionPolicyWizard.aspx. The injected payload is stored by RetentionPolicyWizard.SaveAllConfigSettings() without output encoding and is executed in the browsers of users who subsequently view the File History Retention Policies page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw in GFI Archiver versions prior to 15.13, specifically within the File History Retention Policy configuration module. The issue manifests when authenticated attackers exploit the policy name parameter in the /Archiver/FAARetentionPolicyWizard.aspx endpoint, allowing them to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content that persists in the application's database. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the RetentionPolicyWizard.SaveAllConfigSettings() method, which fails to sanitize user-provided data before storing it in the system.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs through a classic stored XSS attack vector where malicious payloads are injected during the configuration process and subsequently rendered when authorized users navigate to the File History Retention Policies page. This creates a persistent threat where any user with appropriate privileges to view these policies becomes an unwitting victim of the stored script execution. The flaw directly maps to CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with persistent access to authenticated user sessions within the GFI Archiver environment. Attackers can leverage this capability to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of legitimate users, or redirect victims to phishing sites that appear legitimate within the application context. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that even users who do not immediately interact with the affected page become potential victims, as any subsequent viewing of the retention policies page triggers the malicious script execution.
Organizations using affected versions of GFI Archiver face significant security risks including potential data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and unauthorized access to archived files and system configurations. The vulnerability particularly impacts environments where multiple administrators manage retention policies, as each user who views these policies becomes a potential vector for attack propagation. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching to version 15.13 or later, implementing proper input validation and output encoding across all user-facing configuration parameters, and conducting comprehensive security reviews of similar components within the application. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring of the archiver system can help detect potential exploitation attempts, while user education regarding suspicious policy configurations should be implemented as part of broader security awareness programs.