highCVSS 8.7Vulnerability

CVE-2026-54049

### Summary The Sakai Conversations tool stores topic and post messages without HTML sanitization, and the frontend renders them using LitElement's `unsafeHTML()` directive, resulting in stored cross-site scripting (XSS). Any authenticated user with access to a site that has the Conversations tool enabled can inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript that executes in the browsers of all other users who view that topic or post. ### Description The Conversations REST API endpoint `POST /api/sites/{siteId}/topics` accepts a `message` field in the JSON request body. The service layer (`ConversationsServiceImpl`) stores the message directly to the database (`conv_topics.MESSAGE`) without invoking `FormattedText.processFormattedText()` or any equivalent HTML sanitizer. The same issue affects post replies via `POST /api/sites/{siteId}/topics/{topicId}/posts` and comments stored in `conv_comments`. On the frontend, `SakaiTopic.js`, `SakaiPost.js`, and `SakaiComment.js` all render the `message` field using LitElement's `unsafeHTML()` directive: - `SakaiPost.js` lines 429, 432: `${unsafeHTML(this.post.message)}` - `SakaiTopic.js` line 679: `${unsafeHTML(this.topic.message)}` - `SakaiComment.js` line 148: `${unsafeHTML(this.comment.message)}` Unlike other Sakai tools (Announcements, Assignments, Resources) which call `FormattedText.processFormattedText()` before persisting user content, the Conversations implementation has no equivalent protection at storage time or render time. ### Proof of Concept **Setup:** Admin/instructor session on a site with the Conversations tool enabled (siteId `BELP_275K_7418`). **Step 1 - Inject XSS payload in topic:** ``` POST /api/sites/BELP_275K_7418/topics HTTP/1.1 Host: localhost:9107 Cookie: SAKAIID=<authenticated-session> Content-Type: application/json {"title":"XSS Test Topic","message":"<img src=x onerror=alert(1)>","type":"QUESTION","visibility":"SITE","draft":false} ``` Response: HTTP 200, `"message":"<img src=x onerror=alert(1)

Properties

ghsa_id
GHSA-w2x5-gv52-9ccv
severity
high
summary
Sakai Conversations has a Stored XSS Issue
cvss_score
8.7
cve_id
CVE-2026-54049
cvss_vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N
is_ghsa_only
false
ghsa_published
2026-08-24T19:37:53Z
source_url
https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-w2x5-gv52-9ccv
ghsa_updated
2026-08-24T19:37:55Z

Related Entities (8)

VULNERABLE_TO (3)

[Software]maven/org.sakaiproject.conversations:sakai-conversations-impl
[Software]maven/org.sakaiproject.kernel:sakai-kernel-impl
[Software]maven/org.sakaiproject.rubrics:rubrics-impl

AFFECTS (3)

[Software]maven/org.sakaiproject.rubrics:rubrics-impl
[Software]maven/org.sakaiproject.conversations:sakai-conversations-impl
[Software]maven/org.sakaiproject.kernel:sakai-kernel-impl

HAS_WEAKNESS (1)

[Weakness]Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')

REPORTED_BY (1)

[Source]GitHub Advisory Database

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CVE-2026-54049 (CVSS 8.7) — Ninja Signal Threat Intelligence | Ninja Signal