CVE-2023-25571

Backstage has XSS Vulnerability in Software Catalog

MEDIUM

5.4

CVSS Score

Published: February 14, 2023 at 05:00 PM UTC

Updated: June 17, 2026 at 05:41 AM UTC

4 products affected across 2 vendorsBackstage Catalog ModelBackstage Plugin Catalog BackendBackstage Core Components

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Severity

MEDIUM5.4

Exploit prediction

EPSS 0.5%

SSVC

No known exploit

Description

Backstage is an open platform for building developer portals. `@backstage/catalog-model` prior to version 1.2.0, `@backstage/core-components` prior to 0.12.4, and `@backstage/plugin-catalog-backend` prior to 1.7.2 are affected by a cross-site scripting vulnerability. This vulnerability allows a malicious actor with access to add or modify content in an instance of the Backstage software catalog to inject script URLs in the entities stored in the catalog. If users of the catalog then click on said URLs, that can lead to an XSS attack. This vulnerability has been patched in both the frontend and backend implementations. The default `Link` component from `@backstage/core-components` version 1.2.0 and greater will now reject `javascript:` URLs, and there is a global override of `window.open` to do the same. In addition, the catalog model v0.12.4 and greater as well as the catalog backend v1.7.2 and greater now has additional validation built in that prevents `javascript:` URLs in known annotations. As a workaround, the general practice of limiting access to modifying catalog content and requiring code reviews greatly help mitigate this vulnerability.

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

Backstage Catalog Model · Linuxfoundationnpm

95%

v < 1.2.0

Affected range stops below 1.2.0, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Backstage Core Components · Linuxfoundationnpm

95%

v < 0.12.4

Affected range stops below 0.12.4, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Backstage Plugin Catalog Backend · Linuxfoundationnpm

95%

v < 1.7.2

Affected range stops below 1.7.2, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Backstage · Backstage

60%

v < 0.12.4v < 1.2.0v < 1.7.2

Affected range stops below 0.12.4, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Affected range stops below 1.2.0, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Affected range stops below 1.7.2, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet. What the record does show:

Patch and advisory references

References (2)

x_refsource_MISCPatch

Source: [email protected]

https://github.com/backstage/backstage/commit/3d1371954512f7fa8bd0e2d357e00eada2c3e8a8

x_refsource_CONFIRMVendor Advisory

Source: [email protected]

https://github.com/backstage/backstage/security/advisories/GHSA-7hv8-3fr9-j2hv

SSVC — Action Prioritization

SSVCNo known exploitNot automatablePartial impact

SSVC signals action urgency (what to patch first), separate from CVSS which measures severity.

CVSS

5.4MEDIUM[email protected]

Attack Vector: NETWORK
Complexity: LOW
Privileges: LOW
User Interaction: REQUIRED
Scope: CHANGED
Confidentiality: LOW
Integrity: LOW
Availability: NONE

Vector?

Quick Info

StatusMODIFIED

CWE

CWE-79CWE-84

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