CWE-80
AllowedImproper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page (Basic XSS)
Abstraction: Variant · Status: Incomplete
The product receives input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special characters such as "<", ">", and "&" that could be interpreted as web-scripting elements when they are sent to a downstream component that processes web pages.
935 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-VF6X-59HH-332F
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-03-01 00:11 – Updated: 2026-02-18 23:47Summary
The site title field at /panel/options/site/allows embedding JS tags, which can be used to attack all members of the system. This is a widespread attack and can cause significant damage if there is a considerable number of users.
Impact
The attack is widespread, leveraging what XSS can do. This will undoubtedly impact system availability.
Patches
- Formwork 2.x (aa3e9c6) escapes site title from panel header navigation.
Details
By embedding "<!--", the source code can be rendered non-functional, significantly impacting system availability. However, the attacker would need admin privileges, making the attack more difficult to execute.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Packagist",
"name": "getformwork/formwork"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "2.0.0-beta.3"
},
{
"fixed": "2.0.0-beta.4"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
],
"versions": [
"2.0.0-beta.3"
]
}
],
"aliases": [],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-80"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2025-03-01T00:11:46Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "### Summary\n\nThe site title field at /panel/options/site/allows embedding JS tags, which can be used to attack all members of the system. This is a widespread attack and can cause significant damage if there is a considerable number of users.\n\n### Impact\n\nThe attack is widespread, leveraging what XSS can do. This will undoubtedly impact system availability.\n\n### Patches\n- [**Formwork 2.x** (aa3e9c6)](https://github.com/getformwork/formwork/commit/aa3e9c684035d9e8495169fde7c57d97faa3f9a2) escapes site title from panel header navigation.\n\n### Details\n\nBy embedding \"\u003c!--\", the source code can be rendered non-functional, significantly impacting system availability. However, the attacker would need admin privileges, making the attack more difficult to execute.",
"id": "GHSA-vf6x-59hh-332f",
"modified": "2026-02-18T23:47:22Z",
"published": "2025-03-01T00:11:46Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/getformwork/formwork/security/advisories/GHSA-vf6x-59hh-332f"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/getformwork/formwork/commit/aa3e9c684035d9e8495169fde7c57d97faa3f9a2"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/getformwork/formwork"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": " Formwork has a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Site title"
}
GHSA-VF9V-CP45-WPQ2
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-06-04 12:31 – Updated: 2024-06-04 12:31Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page (Basic XSS) vulnerability in ARI Soft ARI Stream Quiz allows Code Injection.This issue affects ARI Stream Quiz: from n/a through 1.3.2.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-47513"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-80"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-06-04T10:15:11Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page (Basic XSS) vulnerability in ARI Soft ARI Stream Quiz allows Code Injection.This issue affects ARI Stream Quiz: from n/a through 1.3.2.",
"id": "GHSA-vf9v-cp45-wpq2",
"modified": "2024-06-04T12:31:03Z",
"published": "2024-06-04T12:31:03Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-47513"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/ari-stream-quiz/wordpress-ari-stream-quiz-wordpress-quizzes-builder-plugin-1-2-32-content-injection-vulnerability?_s_id=cve"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-VG46-2RRJ-3647
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-10-26 22:08 – Updated: 2025-11-04 16:39When the host header does not match a configured host, twisted.web.vhost.NameVirtualHost will return a NoResource resource which renders the Host header unescaped into the 404 response allowing HTML and script injection.
Example configuration:
from twisted.web.server import Site
from twisted.web.vhost import NameVirtualHost
from twisted.internet import reactor
resource = NameVirtualHost()
site = Site(resource)
reactor.listenTCP(8080, site)
reactor.run()
Output:
❯ curl -H"Host:<h1>HELLO THERE</h1>" http://localhost:8080/
<html>
<head><title>404 - No Such Resource</title></head>
<body>
<h1>No Such Resource</h1>
<p>host b'<h1>hello there</h1>' not in vhost map</p>
</body>
</html>
This vulnerability was introduced in f49041bb67792506d85aeda9cf6157e92f8048f4 and first appeared in the 0.9.4 release.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "PyPI",
"name": "Twisted"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0.9.4"
},
{
"fixed": "22.10.0rc1"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-39348"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-79",
"CWE-80"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2022-10-26T22:08:39Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2022-10-26T20:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "When the host header does not match a configured host, `twisted.web.vhost.NameVirtualHost` will return a `NoResource` resource which renders the Host header unescaped into the 404 response allowing HTML and script injection.\n\nExample configuration:\n```python\nfrom twisted.web.server import Site\nfrom twisted.web.vhost import NameVirtualHost\nfrom twisted.internet import reactor\n\nresource = NameVirtualHost()\nsite = Site(resource)\nreactor.listenTCP(8080, site)\nreactor.run()\n```\nOutput:\n```\n\u276f curl -H\"Host:\u003ch1\u003eHELLO THERE\u003c/h1\u003e\" http://localhost:8080/\n\n\u003chtml\u003e\n \u003chead\u003e\u003ctitle\u003e404 - No Such Resource\u003c/title\u003e\u003c/head\u003e\n \u003cbody\u003e\n \u003ch1\u003eNo Such Resource\u003c/h1\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ehost b\u0027\u003ch1\u003ehello there\u003c/h1\u003e\u0027 not in vhost map\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/body\u003e\n\u003c/html\u003e\n```\n\nThis vulnerability was introduced in f49041bb67792506d85aeda9cf6157e92f8048f4 and first appeared in the 0.9.4 release.",
"id": "GHSA-vg46-2rrj-3647",
"modified": "2025-11-04T16:39:47Z",
"published": "2022-10-26T22:08:39Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/twisted/twisted/security/advisories/GHSA-vg46-2rrj-3647"
},
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-39348"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/twisted/twisted/commit/f2f5e81c03f14e253e85fe457e646130780db40b"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/twisted/twisted/commit/f49041bb67792506d85aeda9cf6157e92f8048f4"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/twisted/twisted"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/11/msg00038.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/11/msg00028.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202301-02"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:P/VC:N/VI:N/VA:N/SC:L/SI:L/SA:N",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
],
"summary": "Twisted vulnerable to NameVirtualHost Host header injection"
}
GHSA-VGF7-QRG3-CM45
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-15 18:31 – Updated: 2026-01-15 18:31A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and Cisco ISE Passive Identity Connector (ISE-PIC) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks against a user of the interface.
This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input by the web-based management interface of an affected system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious code into specific pages of the interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary script code in the context of the affected interface or access sensitive, browser-based information. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid administrative credentials.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-20047"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-80"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-15T17:16:07Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and Cisco ISE Passive Identity Connector (ISE-PIC) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks against a user of the interface.\n\nThis vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input by the web-based management interface of an affected system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious code into specific pages of the interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary script code in the context of the affected interface or access sensitive, browser-based information. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid administrative credentials.",
"id": "GHSA-vgf7-qrg3-cm45",
"modified": "2026-01-15T18:31:33Z",
"published": "2026-01-15T18:31:33Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-20047"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ise-xss-964cdxW5"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-VHG6-M6C8-39C2
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-04-01 15:31 – Updated: 2025-04-03 00:31Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page (Basic XSS) vulnerability in Apache OFBiz.
This issue affects Apache OFBiz: before 18.12.19.
Users are recommended to upgrade to version 18.12.19, which fixes the issue.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-30676"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-79",
"CWE-80"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-04-01T15:16:07Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page (Basic XSS) vulnerability in Apache OFBiz.\n\nThis issue affects Apache OFBiz: before 18.12.19.\n\nUsers are recommended to upgrade to version 18.12.19, which fixes the issue.",
"id": "GHSA-vhg6-m6c8-39c2",
"modified": "2025-04-03T00:31:32Z",
"published": "2025-04-01T15:31:37Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-30676"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/OFBIZ-13219"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread/8d718qt8dqthnw1gmyxsq8glfdjklnjf"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://ofbiz.apache.org/download.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://ofbiz.apache.org/security.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/04/01/5"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-VJHQ-XQVQ-7GH3
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-12-05 06:30 – Updated: 2024-12-05 06:30HCL DevOps Deploy / HCL Launch is vulnerable to HTML injection. This vulnerability may allow a user to embed arbitrary HTML tags in the Web UI potentially leading to sensitive information disclosure.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-42195"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-79",
"CWE-80"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-12-05T05:15:06Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "HCL DevOps Deploy / HCL Launch is vulnerable to HTML injection. This vulnerability may allow a user to embed arbitrary HTML tags in the Web UI potentially leading to sensitive information disclosure.",
"id": "GHSA-vjhq-xqvq-7gh3",
"modified": "2024-12-05T06:30:43Z",
"published": "2024-12-05T06:30:43Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-42195"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.hcl-software.com/csm?id=kb_article\u0026sysparm_article=KB0117908"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-VM4M-6MF9-8885
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-04-05 15:30 – Updated: 2024-04-05 15:30Stored XSS in graph rendering in Checkmk <2.3.0b4.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-2380"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-79",
"CWE-80"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-04-05T13:15:07Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Stored XSS in graph rendering in Checkmk \u003c2.3.0b4.",
"id": "GHSA-vm4m-6mf9-8885",
"modified": "2024-04-05T15:30:30Z",
"published": "2024-04-05T15:30:30Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-2380"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://checkmk.com/werk/16618"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-VM6H-6M45-HFP7
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-09-15 09:30 – Updated: 2026-05-21 15:34Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page (Basic XSS) vulnerability in Saphira Saphira Connect allows Reflected XSS.This issue affects Saphira Connect: before 9.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-4663"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-79",
"CWE-80"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-09-15T09:15:08Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page (Basic XSS) vulnerability in Saphira Saphira Connect allows Reflected XSS.This issue affects Saphira Connect: before 9.",
"id": "GHSA-vm6h-6m45-hfp7",
"modified": "2026-05-21T15:34:01Z",
"published": "2023-09-15T09:30:20Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-4663"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://siberguvenlik.gov.tr/guvenlik-bildirimleri/detay/tr-23-0535"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.usom.gov.tr/bildirim/tr-23-0535"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-VMHH-XH3G-J992
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-25 22:40 – Updated: 2022-06-08 17:31Impact
We found a possible XSS vector in the FlamingoThemesCode.WebHomeSheet wiki page related to the "newThemeName" form field.
Patches
The issue is patched in versions 12.10.11, 14.0-rc-1, 13.4.7, 13.10.3.
Workarounds
The easiest workaround is to edit the wiki page FlamingoThemesCode.WebHomeSheet (with wiki editor) and change the line
<input type="hidden" name="newThemeName" id="newThemeName" value="$request.newThemeName" />
into
<input type="hidden" name="newThemeName" id="newThemeName" value="$escapetool.xml($request.newThemeName)" />
References
- https://jira.xwiki.org/browse/XWIKI-19294
- https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform/commit/bd935320bee3c27cf7548351b1d0f935f116d437
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory: * Open an issue in Jira XWiki * Email us at security mailing list
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Maven",
"name": "org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-flamingo-theme-ui"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "12.10.11"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Maven",
"name": "org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-flamingo-theme-ui"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "13.0.0"
},
{
"fixed": "13.4.7"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Maven",
"name": "org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-flamingo-theme-ui"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "13.5.0"
},
{
"fixed": "13.10.3"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-29251"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-116",
"CWE-79",
"CWE-80"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2022-05-25T22:40:57Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2022-05-25T21:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "### Impact\nWe found a possible XSS vector in the `FlamingoThemesCode.WebHomeSheet` wiki page related to the \"newThemeName\" form field.\n\n### Patches\n\nThe issue is patched in versions 12.10.11, 14.0-rc-1, 13.4.7, 13.10.3.\n\n### Workarounds\nThe easiest workaround is to edit the wiki page `FlamingoThemesCode.WebHomeSheet` (with wiki editor) and change the line\n\n```\n\u003cinput type=\"hidden\" name=\"newThemeName\" id=\"newThemeName\" value=\"$request.newThemeName\" /\u003e\n```\n\ninto\n\n```\n\u003cinput type=\"hidden\" name=\"newThemeName\" id=\"newThemeName\" value=\"$escapetool.xml($request.newThemeName)\" /\u003e\n```\n\n### References\n * https://jira.xwiki.org/browse/XWIKI-19294\n * https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform/commit/bd935320bee3c27cf7548351b1d0f935f116d437\n\n### For more information\nIf you have any questions or comments about this advisory:\n* Open an issue in [Jira XWiki](https://jira.xwiki.org)\n* Email us at [security mailing list](mailto:security@xwiki.org)",
"id": "GHSA-vmhh-xh3g-j992",
"modified": "2022-06-08T17:31:04Z",
"published": "2022-05-25T22:40:57Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform/security/advisories/GHSA-vmhh-xh3g-j992"
},
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-29251"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform/commit/bd935320bee3c27cf7548351b1d0f935f116d437"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://jira.xwiki.org/browse/XWIKI-19294"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "Cross-site Scripting in the Flamingo theme manager"
}
GHSA-VQ9P-QH5C-CF9W
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-11-14 18:31 – Updated: 2025-11-14 21:30A Stored Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability was found in the Application Server of Desktop Alert PingAlert version 6.1.0.11 to 6.1.1.2 which allows an attacker to hijack user’s browser, capturing sensitive information.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-54348"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-80"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-11-14T18:15:49Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A Stored Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability was found in the Application Server of Desktop Alert PingAlert version 6.1.0.11 to 6.1.1.2 which allows an attacker to hijack user\u2019s browser, capturing sensitive information.",
"id": "GHSA-vq9p-qh5c-cf9w",
"modified": "2025-11-14T21:30:29Z",
"published": "2025-11-14T18:31:39Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-54348"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://desktopalert.net"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://desktopalert.net/cve-2025-54348"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
Mitigation
Carefully check each input parameter against a rigorous positive specification (allowlist) defining the specific characters and format allowed. All input should be neutralized, not just parameters that the user is supposed to specify, but all data in the request, including hidden fields, cookies, headers, the URL itself, and so forth. A common mistake that leads to continuing XSS vulnerabilities is to validate only fields that are expected to be redisplayed by the site. We often encounter data from the request that is reflected by the application server or the application that the development team did not anticipate. Also, a field that is not currently reflected may be used by a future developer. Therefore, validating ALL parts of the HTTP request is recommended.
Mitigation MIT-30.1
Strategy: Output Encoding
- Use and specify an output encoding that can be handled by the downstream component that is reading the output. Common encodings include ISO-8859-1, UTF-7, and UTF-8. When an encoding is not specified, a downstream component may choose a different encoding, either by assuming a default encoding or automatically inferring which encoding is being used, which can be erroneous. When the encodings are inconsistent, the downstream component might treat some character or byte sequences as special, even if they are not special in the original encoding. Attackers might then be able to exploit this discrepancy and conduct injection attacks; they even might be able to bypass protection mechanisms that assume the original encoding is also being used by the downstream component.
- The problem of inconsistent output encodings often arises in web pages. If an encoding is not specified in an HTTP header, web browsers often guess about which encoding is being used. This can open up the browser to subtle XSS attacks.
Mitigation MIT-43
With Struts, write all data from form beans with the bean's filter attribute set to true.
Mitigation MIT-31
Strategy: Attack Surface Reduction
To help mitigate XSS attacks against the user's session cookie, set the session cookie to be HttpOnly. In browsers that support the HttpOnly feature (such as more recent versions of Internet Explorer and Firefox), this attribute can prevent the user's session cookie from being accessible to malicious client-side scripts that use document.cookie. This is not a complete solution, since HttpOnly is not supported by all browsers. More importantly, XmlHttpRequest and other powerful browser technologies provide read access to HTTP headers, including the Set-Cookie header in which the HttpOnly flag is set.
CAPEC-18: XSS Targeting Non-Script Elements
This attack is a form of Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) where malicious scripts are embedded in elements that are not expected to host scripts such as image tags (<img>), comments in XML documents (< !-CDATA->), etc. These tags may not be subject to the same input validation, output validation, and other content filtering and checking routines, so this can create an opportunity for an adversary to tunnel through the application's elements and launch a XSS attack through other elements. As with all remote attacks, it is important to differentiate the ability to launch an attack (such as probing an internal network for unpatched servers) and the ability of the remote adversary to collect and interpret the output of said attack.
CAPEC-193: PHP Remote File Inclusion
In this pattern the adversary is able to load and execute arbitrary code remotely available from the application. This is usually accomplished through an insecurely configured PHP runtime environment and an improperly sanitized "include" or "require" call, which the user can then control to point to any web-accessible file. This allows adversaries to hijack the targeted application and force it to execute their own instructions.
CAPEC-32: XSS Through HTTP Query Strings
An adversary embeds malicious script code in the parameters of an HTTP query string and convinces a victim to submit the HTTP request that contains the query string to a vulnerable web application. The web application then procedes to use the values parameters without properly validation them first and generates the HTML code that will be executed by the victim's browser.
CAPEC-86: XSS Through HTTP Headers
An adversary exploits web applications that generate web content, such as links in a HTML page, based on unvalidated or improperly validated data submitted by other actors. XSS in HTTP Headers attacks target the HTTP headers which are hidden from most users and may not be validated by web applications.