CVE-2026-54355

MapServer: Reflected XSS in OpenLayers HTML Output via `HTTP_X_FORWARDED_HOST`

MEDIUM
5.3
CVSS Score
Published: September 17, 2026 at 08:24 PM UTC
Updated: September 30, 2026 at 05:23 PM UTC
1 product affected across 1 vendorMapServer

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Severity
MEDIUM5.3
Exploit prediction
EPSS 0.5%
SSVC
PoC

Description

MapServer is a system for developing web-based GIS applications. From 6.0 until 8.6.4, MapServer's OpenLayers HTML output for SERVICE=WMS&REQUEST=GetMap&FORMAT=application/openlayers reflects an attacker-controlled X-Forwarded-Host value received as HTTP_X_FORWARDED_HOST through msBuildOnlineResource(), processLine(), and the [mapserv_onlineresource] substitution in src/maputil.c and src/maptemplate.c without escaping it for a single-quoted JavaScript string. When the deployment trusts the forwarded header and does not configure a fixed ows_onlineresource or MS_ONLINERESOURCE value, embedded single quotes can escape the generated URL string. An unauthenticated attacker can craft a URL that executes arbitrary JavaScript in the MapServer site origin when opened by a victim, enabling access to sessions or tokens, same-origin data and requests, and actions as the victim. This issue is fixed in version 8.6.4.

Affected

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

v < 8.6.4
Affected range stops below 8.6.4, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet, and no fixed version or vendor advisory is recorded against it.

SSVC — Action Prioritization

SSVCPoCNot automatablePartial impact

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

CVSS

5.3MEDIUMGitHub_M
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusAWAITING ANALYSIS
CWE
CWE-79

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