# CVE-2015-9286: NodeBB cross-site scripting in outgoing controller

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2015-9286-nodebb-cross-site-scripting-in-outgoing-controller  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2019-05-01. Updated: 2026-09-25  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2015-9286 · Severity: low · CVSS 3 · Published 2019-05-01

NodeBB is an open-source community discussion platform. A cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the outgoing link handler allows unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in other users' browsers, potentially stealing session cookies, credentials, or sensitive information when users click on crafted links.

Technologies: [NodeBB](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/nodebb). Vendors: [NodeBB](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/nodebb).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2015-9286 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2015-9286 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2015-9286?** Low severity, with a CVSS score of 3, published 1 May 2019.

**Which products and versions are affected?** NodeBB before 0.8.2.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2015-9286?** A patch was published on 2015-07-30: Fixed in PR #3371 and released in version 0.8.2 Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2015-9286 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2015-9286?** Check whether you run NodeBB at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

The vulnerability is a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) flaw in the Controllers.outgoing function within controllers/index.js in NodeBB before version 0.8.2. The outgoing link handler fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in the response, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code. The attack requires no authentication and is triggered when a user clicks a malicious link or visits an attacker-controlled page that references the vulnerable endpoint. An attacker can steal session tokens, perform actions on behalf of the victim, or redirect users to phishing sites. The vulnerability was fixed in version 0.8.2 via a properly sanitized implementation of the outgoing link handler.

## Affected products

- NodeBB NodeBB before 0.8.2

## Identifiers

- CVE-2015-9286
- GHSA-72fv-qgj6-2w2p

## Timeline

- 2015-07-30: disclosed
- 2015-07-30: patched: Fixed in PR #3371 and released in version 0.8.2
- 2019-05-01: advisory: GHSA-72fv-qgj6-2w2p published

## References

- [https://github.com/NodeBB/NodeBB/pull/3371](https://github.com/NodeBB/NodeBB/pull/3371)

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