Skip to main content

Bookstack CVE-2020-26210

HIGH
Cross-site Scripting (XSS) (CWE-79)
2020-11-03 security-advisories@github.com
8.7
CVSS 3.1 · NVD
View

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A05:2025 - Injection
ASVS 5.0
V1 - Encoding and Sanitization Output encoding, context-aware escaping
MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques across 2 tactics: Initial Access, Execution

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

Impact

CVSS score of 8.7 (HIGH). Attack characteristics: network attack vector, low complexity, low privileges required, user interaction required. Public proof-of-concept exploit code is available.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

A remote attacker could inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users by sending crafted requests to the affected application.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
Patch available 1.2% exploitation probability (EPSS)

Get an e-mail when this CVE is exploited, patched or re-scored. Free account.

Alert me

AnalysisAI

In BookStack before version 0.30.4, a user with permissions to edit a page could add an attached link which would execute untrusted JavaScript code when clicked by a viewer of the page. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.

RemediationAI

A vendor patch is available. Apply the latest security update as soon as possible. Sanitize all user input, use Content-Security-Policy headers, encode output contextually (HTML, JS, URL). Use frameworks with built-in XSS protection.

Affects your stack

Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is classified as Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) (CWE-79), which allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. In BookStack before version 0.30.4, a user with permissions to edit a page could add an attached link which would execute untrusted JavaScript code when clicked by a viewer of the page. Dangerous content may remain in the database after this update. If you think this could have been exploited the linked advisory provides a SQL query to test. As a workaround, page edit permissions could be limited to only those that are trusted until you can upgrade although this will not address existing exploitation of this vulnerability. The issue is fixed in version 0.30.4. Affected products include: Bookstackapp Bookstack. Version information: version 0.30.4.

Know when Bookstack gets its next vulnerability

  • Watch products and get an email when something new is published
  • Check this CVE against your own stack and servers
  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

No credit card · 7-day full trial

Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 8.7 HIGH
AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
Required
Scope
Changed
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
None

DescriptionNVD

In BookStack before version 0.30.4, a user with permissions to edit a page could add an attached link which would execute untrusted JavaScript code when clicked by a viewer of the page. Dangerous content may remain in the database after this update. If you think this could have been exploited the linked advisory provides a SQL query to test. As a workaround, page edit permissions could be limited to only those that are trusted until you can upgrade although this will not address existing exploitation of this vulnerability. The issue is fixed in version 0.30.4.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
1.2%
Top 37% exploitable
Exploit
POC
Public exploit code exists
Data Quality
3 sources
Confidence: Low

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC Yes
EPSS 1.2%
Patch available Yes
Active threat No
Deciding rule
HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived
Scheduled
Exploitation· derived
Poc
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable· derived
No
Human Impact· derived
Medium

Priority Score

65
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: +1
CVSS: +44
PoC: +20
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Cross-Site Scripting occurs when an application accepts untrusted data and sends it to a web browser without proper validation or encoding.

Affected Products (CPE)NVD

cpe:2.3:a:bookstackapp:bookstack:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
CVE-2021-4119 CRITICAL POC
9.8 Dec 15

bookstack is vulnerable to Improper Access Control. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely e

CVE-2021-3944 MEDIUM POC
6.8 Dec 02

bookstack is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is re

CVE-2023-6199 MEDIUM POC
6.5 Nov 20

Book Stack version 23.10.2 allows filtering local files on the server. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerabil

CVE-2021-3916 MEDIUM POC
6.5 Nov 05

bookstack is vulnerable to Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal'). Rated medium

CVE-2021-3906 MEDIUM POC
6.5 Oct 27

bookstack is vulnerable to Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulne

CVE-2021-3874 MEDIUM POC
6.5 Oct 15

bookstack is vulnerable to Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal'). Rated medium

CVE-2021-3758 MEDIUM POC
6.5 Sep 02

bookstack is vulnerable to Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is r

CVE-2021-3915 MEDIUM POC
5.7 Nov 13

bookstack is vulnerable to Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.7), this vulne

CVE-2026-5484 MEDIUM POC
5.5 Apr 03

BookStack chapter export functionality allows unauthenticated remote attackers to bypass access controls via manipulatio

CVE-2022-0877 MEDIUM POC
5.4 Mar 08

Cross-site Scripting (XSS) - Stored in GitHub repository bookstackapp/bookstack prior to v22.02.3. Rated medium severity

CVE-2021-3768 MEDIUM POC
5.4 Sep 06

bookstack is vulnerable to Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting'). Rated m

CVE-2021-3767 MEDIUM POC
5.4 Sep 06

bookstack is vulnerable to Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting'). Rated m

This site uses cookies essential for authentication and security. No tracking or analytics cookies are used. Privacy Policy