CVE-2020-11023 is a significant security flaw within jQuery, a widely used JavaScript library. The vulnerability is categorized as a persistent cross-site scripting (XSS) issue. This type of vulnerability occurs when malicious scripts are injected into web pages viewed by other users. The specific vulnerability affects versions 1.0.3 to 3.4.1 of jQuery.
Cause and Mechanism of Exploitation
- Improper Handling of HTML Content: The vulnerability arises due to improper handling and rendering of certain HTML elements, particularly the
<option>elements, by jQuery’s DOM manipulation methods. - Attack Vector: An attacker can craft malicious HTML containing
<option>elements and pass it to jQuery’s DOM manipulation functions. When the malicious content is executed in the browser, it can lead to XSS attacks.
Severity and Impact
- CVSS Score: This vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS score of 6.9, indicating it is of high severity.
- Potential Impact: Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can have serious consequences, including:
- Session Hijacking: Attackers can steal session cookies, allowing them to hijack user sessions.
- Data Theft: Sensitive information stored in the web application can be accessed and exfiltrated.
- Unauthorized Actions: Attackers can perform actions on behalf of the user, such as modifying content or executing unauthorized commands.
Affected Versions
- jQuery Versions: The affected versions range from 1.0.3 to 3.4.1. It’s crucial for users of these versions to update to mitigate the vulnerability.
Mitigation and Recommendations
To address the risks posed by CVE-2020-11023, the following steps should be taken:
Update jQuery
- Upgrade to Latest Version: Users should update to jQuery version 3.5.0 or later. The updated versions include patches that fix the improper handling of HTML content, thereby mitigating the vulnerability.
Sanitize HTML
- Using DOMPurify: For users who cannot immediately upgrade, a temporary mitigation measure is to sanitize any HTML content before passing it to jQuery’s DOM manipulation methods. One effective way to do this is by using a library like DOMPurify with the
SAFE_FOR_JQUERYoption enabled. This ensures that any potentially malicious content is sanitized and safe for rendering.
CISA’s Inclusion in the KEV Catalog
The inclusion of CVE-2020-11023 in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog highlights the importance of addressing this vulnerability promptly. CISSA sets the deadline as 13 February 2025 for federal agencies to remediate.
