Kirby is an open-source content management system. Kirby's `Xml::value()` method has special handling for `<![CDATA[ ]]>` blocks. If the input value is already valid `CDATA`, it is not escaped a second time but allowed to pass through. However, prior to versions 4.9.0 and 5.4.0, it was possible to trick this check into allowing values that only contained a valid `CDATA` block but also contained other structured data outside of the `CDATA` block. This structured data would then also be allowed to pass through, circumventing the value protection. The `Xml::value()` method is used in `Xml::tag()`, `Xml::create()` and in the `Xml` data handler (e.g. `Data::encode($string, 'xml')`). Both the vulnerable methods and the data handler are not used in the Kirby core. However they may be used in site or plugin code, e.g. to create XML strings from input data. If those generated files are passed to another implementation that assigns specific meaning to the XML schema, manipulation of this system's behavior is possible. Kirby sites that don't use XML generation in site or plugin code are not affected. The problem has been patched in Kirby 4.9.0 and Kirby 5.4.0. In all of the mentioned releases, Kirby has added additional checks that only allow unchanged `CDATA` passthrough if the entire string is made up of valid `CDATA` blocks and no structured data. This protects all uses of the method against the described vulnerability.
This vulnerability carries a HIGH severity rating with a CVSS v3.1 score of 7.5, indicating it can be exploited remotely over the network with relatively low complexity without requiring user interaction and does not require pre-existing privileges . The vulnerability impacts integrity (unauthorized modifications), for affected systems. Impacting 1 product from getkirby organizations running these solutions should prioritize assessment and patching.
Reported in 2026, this vulnerability emerged during an era marked by increased sophistication in supply chain attacks, cloud infrastructure vulnerabilities, and software-as-a-service (SaaS) security challenges. Security practices during this period emphasized zero-trust architectures, container security, and API protection.
2026-04-24T01:16:11.953
2026-04-27T19:21:18.017
Analyzed
CVSSv3.1: 7.5 (HIGH)
| Type | Vendor | Product | Version/Range | Vulnerable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application | getkirby | kirby | < 4.9.0 | Yes |
| Application | getkirby | kirby | < 5.4.0 | Yes |
SecUtils normalizes and enriches National Vulnerability Database (NVD) records by standardizing vendor and product identifiers, aggregating vulnerability metadata from both NVD and MITRE sources, and providing structured context for security teams. For getkirby's affected products, we extract Common Platform Enumeration (CPE) data, Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) classifications, CVSS severity metrics, and reference data to enable rapid vulnerability prioritization and asset correlation. This record contains no exploit code, proof-of-concept instructions, or attack methodologies—only defensive intelligence necessary for patch management, risk assessment, and security operations.