CVE-2025-53368: Citizen is a MediaWiki skin that makes extensions part of the cohesive experience

This week

HIGH 8.6REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2025-53368 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.6) affecting citizen. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Citizen is a MediaWiki skin that makes extensions part of the cohesive experience. From versions 1.9.4 to before 3.4.0, page descriptions are inserted into raw HTML without proper sanitization by the Citizen skin when using the old search bar. Any user with page editing privileges can insert cross-site scripting (XSS) payloads into the DOM for other users who are searching for specific pages. This issue has been patched in version 3.4.0.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.6 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 72%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-79
Published	2025-07-03
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: starcitizen.tools

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2025-07-03 20:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 09:38 UTCUpdated Record last modified

starcitizen.tools citizen UPGRADE

Affected: >= 1.9.4 and < 3.4.0

Fixed in: 3.4.0

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.9.4

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy citizen || rpm -q citizen || citizen --version

2. UPGRADE to 3.4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade citizen

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade citizen

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.9.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison citizen sudo apt install citizen=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.9.4> sudo apt-mark hold citizen

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list citizen sudo dnf downgrade citizen-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.9.4> sudo dnf versionlock add citizen

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2025-53368?

citizen: upgrade to 3.4.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2025-53368 being exploited?

CVE-2025-53368 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2025-53368 affect?

CVE-2025-53368 affects citizen. Severity is high (CVSS 8.6). Citizen is a MediaWiki skin that makes extensions part of the cohesive experience. From versions 1.9.4 to before 3.4.0, page descriptions are inserted into raw HTML without proper sanitization by the Citizen skin when using the old search b

How urgent is CVE-2025-53368?

Priority 47/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

CVE-2025-53370 HIGH 8.6 UPGRADE Citizen is a MediaWiki skin that makes extensions part of the cohesive experience
CVE-2025-49579 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE Citizen is a MediaWiki skin that makes extensions part of the cohesive experience
CVE-2025-49578 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE Citizen is a MediaWiki skin that makes extensions part of the cohesive experience
CVE-2025-49577 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE Citizen is a MediaWiki skin that makes extensions part of the cohesive experience
CVE-2025-49576 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE Citizen is a MediaWiki skin that makes extensions part of the cohesive experience

References

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