CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2026-54718NVD status: Deferred

silverstripe-advancedworkflow: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2026-54718 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in a template engine vulnerability in silverstripe-advancedworkflow from Silverstripe, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with administrator privileges, without any action from a user. Affected silverstripe-advancedworkflow versions: < 6.4.5; >= 7.0.0, < 7.1.3; >= 7.2.0, < 7.2.1. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.05% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 65% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of silverstripe-advancedworkflow you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Silverstripesilverstripe-advancedworkflow< 6.4.5; >= 7.0.0, < 7.1.3; >= 7.2.0, < 7.2.1Not stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
HighAdministrator-level access is required first.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (github.com).

Official description

Silverstripe Advanced Workflow is a highly configurable step-based workflow module. Prior to 6.4.5, 7.1.3, and 7.2.1, an attacker with permission to author the advanced workflow email template can place a specially crafted server-side template payload in NotifyUsersWorkflowAction.EmailTemplate. When NotifyUsersWorkflowAction renders the field through the Silverstripe template engine SSTemplateParser, the payload can cause PHP evaluation and arbitrary code execution on the server; the regression coverage is in tests/php/WorkflowEngineTest.php. This issue is fixed in versions 6.4.5, 7.1.3, and 7.2.1.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine

The product uses a template engine to insert or process externally-influenced input, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements or syntax that can be interpreted as template expressions or other code directives when processed by the engine.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Choose a template engine that offers a sandbox or restricted mode, or at least limits the power of any available expressions, function calls, or commands.
  • Use the template engine's sandbox or restricted mode, if available.

More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine vulnerabilities (CWE-1336)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine vulnerabilities

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