XSS in Apache Velocity Tools
CVE-2020-13959
The default error page for VelocityView in Apache Velocity Tools prior to 3.1 reflects back the vm file that was entered as part of the URL. An attacker can set an XSS payload file as this vm file in the URL which results in this payload being executed. XSS vulnerabilities allow attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of the attacked website and the attacked user. This can be abused to steal session cookies, perform requests in the name of the victim or for phishing attacks.
Vulnerability class: XSS (Cross-Site Scripting)
EPSS: 0.064 (92.9th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 6.1 (Medium). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N.
Affected products
- Apache Velocity_tools
- Apache Software Foundation Velocity Tools — versions Apache Velocity Tools
- Debian Debian_linux — versions 9.0
Weakness classification (CWE)
Public proof-of-concept exploits
References
- security@apache.org (Mailing List, x_refsource_MISC, Vendor Advisory)
- security@apache.org (mailing-list, x_refsource_MLIST)
- security@apache.org (mailing-list, x_refsource_MLIST)
- security@apache.org (mailing-list, x_refsource_MLIST, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory)
- security@apache.org (mailing-list, x_refsource_MLIST, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory)
- security@apache.org (mailing-list, x_refsource_MLIST)
- security@apache.org (vendor-advisory, Third Party Advisory, x_refsource_GENTOO)
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2020-13959?
- CVE-2020-13959 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Apache Velocity Tools, classified under Cross-site Scripting. CVSS score: 6.1/10. Published 2021-03-10.
- How severe is CVE-2020-13959?
- Medium severity. CVSS v3 base score is 6.1 out of 10.
- Is CVE-2020-13959 known to be exploited?
- 1 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.