CVE-2023-45815: ArchiveBox: Viewing wget extractor output while logged in as an admin allows archived JS to execute in the admins context
ArchiveBox is an open source self-hosted web archiving system. Any users who are using the `wget` extractor and view the content it outputs. The impact is potentially severe if you are logged in to the ArchiveBox admin site in the same browser session and view an archived malicious page designed to target your ArchiveBox instance. Malicious Javascript could potentially act using your logged-in admin credentials and add/remove/modify snapshots, add/remove/modify ArchiveBox users, and generally do anything an admin user could do. The impact is less severe for non-logged-in users, as malicious Javascript cannot *modify* any archives, but it can still *read* all the other archived content by fetching the snapshot index and iterating through it. Because all of ArchiveBox's archived content is served from the same host and port as the admin panel, when archived pages are viewed the JS executes in the same context as all the other archived pages (and the admin panel), defeating most of the browser's usual CORS/CSRF security protections and leading to this issue. Version 0.9.0 contains a patch. As a mitigation for this issue would be to disable the wget extractor by setting `archivebox config --set SAVE_WGET=False`, ensure you are always logged out, or serve only a [static HTML version](https://github.com/ArchiveBox/ArchiveBox/wiki/Publishing-Your-Archive#2-export-and-host-it-as-static-html) of your archive.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
ArchiveBox versions before 0.9.0 can run JavaScript from archived wget output in the same browser context as the admin interface. If an administrator views a malicious archived page while logged in, that script could act with admin rights. Non-admin viewers may still expose other archived content.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation for any shared or internet-accessible ArchiveBox instance used by administrators to archive untrusted sites. The issue is not listed as exploited in KEV, but it can affect admin account actions and archive confidentiality when the risky workflow exists.
Technical view
This is a stored XSS and same-origin isolation failure involving wget extractor output. Archived pages are served from the same host and port as the admin panel, weakening browser CORS and CSRF boundaries. CVSS 3.1 is 6.4 with high confidentiality and integrity impact, high attack complexity, low privileges, and required user interaction.
Likely exposure
Self-hosted ArchiveBox deployments below 0.9.0 are exposed when SAVE_WGET is enabled and users view wget-generated archived pages. Risk is highest where admins browse archived untrusted content in the same browser session used for ArchiveBox administration.
Exploitation context
The supplied sources do not show active exploitation, and KEV is false. Exploitation requires a malicious archived page, use of the wget extractor, and a logged-in admin or other user viewing the archived content. The impact depends on the viewer's ArchiveBox privileges.
Researcher notes
Focus validation on same-origin serving of archived wget output and the admin UI. The patch is identified in version 0.9.0, with related advisory, issue, pull request, and commit references. Avoid assuming broader product impact beyond ArchiveBox versions before 0.9.0.
Mitigation direction
Upgrade ArchiveBox to version 0.9.0 or later.
Disable the wget extractor by setting SAVE_WGET=False if upgrading is delayed.
Do not view untrusted archives while logged in as an administrator.
Serve public archives as static HTML where appropriate.
Review vendor guidance before applying alternative compensating controls.
Validation and detection
Inventory ArchiveBox instances and confirm their running version.
Check whether the wget extractor is enabled in configuration.
Confirm admins do not browse untrusted archived pages while logged in.
Verify public archive publishing uses static HTML where intended.
Review logs and user activity for unexpected admin changes.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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cwe · medium confidence lookup
CWE-79: User-session and phishing behavior lookup
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1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
2ADP providers
11Source links
SSVC decision data
CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: pocAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: total
CVSS vector scores
1 official score
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CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
CWE-79 · source CWE mapping
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.