Executive brief
HAX CMS is a content management system used to create and manage websites. The NodeJS version of the application is distributed with hardcoded default login credentials and cryptographic keys that cannot be changed through the user interface. An attacker can use these publicly available defaults to gain unauthorized access to unconfigured instances, read sensitive data, modify content, and launch further attacks against the system.
Technical details
This vulnerability stems from the use of default, hardcoded credentials and cryptographic keys in the HAX CMS NodeJS implementation (CWE-1392, CWE-1393, CWE-1394). The HAXCMS.js and HAXCMSClass components contain fixed credentials for user and superuser accounts, as well as default JWT private keys. The attack vector is network-based with no authentication required and no user interaction needed. An unauthenticated remote attacker can obtain these secrets from the public haxtheweb GitHub repositories and use them to authenticate to unconfigured self-hosted instances without modification of default secrets. The attacker can then modify website content, access sensitive information, and potentially escalate attacks. The vulnerability was patched in version 11.0.10; versions 11.0.0 and earlier are affected.
Affected products
- haxtheweb @haxtheweb/haxcms-nodejs <=11.0.0
Timeline
- 2025-07-21: disclosed: Advisory published
- 2025-07-21: patched: Version 11.0.10 available
- 2025-07-22: kev added: CVE-2025-54137 published by NVD