CVE-2020-13959

Velocity Tools XSS Vulnerability

Published Mar 10, 2021 CVSS 3.1 · 6.1 Medium EPSS 5.7% KEV · Not listed
Description
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.

Remediation

Vendor Workaround

Applications based on Apache Velocity Tools should upgrade to version 3.1. This version escapes the reflected text on the default error page, preventing potential javascript execution.

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-2597-1 velocity-tools security update
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2021-0652 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.
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-fh63-4r66-jc7v Cross-site scripting (XSS) in Apache Velocity Tools
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-6282-1 Velocity Tools vulnerability
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics epss

{'score': 0.04615}

epss

{'score': 0.04293}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
apache
Published
Updated
Feb 13, 2025, 4:27 PM
Reserved
Jun 8, 2020, 12:00 AM
Status
Modified
Published
Mar 10, 2021, 8:15 AM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 2:54 AM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Mar 9, 2021, 12:00 AM