CVE-2020-11023

MEDIUM KEV

jQuery <3.5.0 - XSS

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

CVE-2020-11023 is actively exploited and listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added January 23, 2025. EIP tracks 7 public exploits from researchers including Central InfoSec, Cybernegro, honeyb33z.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit demonstrates a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in jQuery versions >= 1.0.3 and < 3.5.0. It includes two proof-of-concept payloads that trigger XSS via malformed HTML attributes.

Description

In jQuery versions greater than or equal to 1.0.3 and before 3.5.0, passing HTML containing <option> elements from untrusted sources - even after sanitizing it - to one of jQuery's DOM manipulation methods (i.e. .html(), .append(), and others) may execute untrusted code. This problem is patched in jQuery 3.5.0.

Exploits (7)

exploitdb WORKING POC
by Central InfoSec · textwebappsmultiple
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/49767

This exploit demonstrates a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in jQuery versions >= 1.0.3 and < 3.5.0. It includes two proof-of-concept payloads that trigger XSS via malformed HTML attributes.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Xss
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: jQuery versions >= 1.0.3 and < 3.5.0
No auth needed
Prerequisites: A vulnerable version of jQuery loaded in a web application · Ability to inject malicious HTML/JavaScript into a rendered page
MITRE ATT&CK
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WRITEUP 4 stars
by Cybernegro · poc
https://github.com/Cybernegro/CVE-2020-11023

This repository provides a basic demonstration of a DOM-based XSS vulnerability (CVE-2020-11023) using jQuery methods like .text(). It includes a simple payload for testing but lacks executable exploit code.

Classification
Writeup 80%
Attack Type
Xss
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: Web applications using jQuery (version not specified)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to a vulnerable web application using jQuery · Browser with developer tools
MITRE ATT&CK
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec SCANNER 2 stars
by honeyb33z · poc
https://github.com/honeyb33z/cve-2020-11023-scanner

This repository contains a static analysis scanner for detecting CVE-2020-11023, a jQuery XSS vulnerability affecting versions before 3.5.0. It identifies vulnerable jQuery versions and unsafe DOM manipulation patterns.

Classification
Scanner 95%
Attack Type
Xss
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: jQuery < 3.5.0
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to target JavaScript files or URLs
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WRITEUP 1 stars
by Snorlyd · poc
https://github.com/Snorlyd/https-nj.gov---CVE-2020-11023

This repository contains a writeup describing a potential XSS vulnerability (CVE-2020-11023) in jQuery versions prior to 3.5.0, where untrusted HTML containing `<option>` elements could execute arbitrary code when passed to jQuery's DOM manipulation methods. The advisory recommends updating to jQuery 3.5.0 or using DOMPurify with the `SAFE_FOR_JQUERY` option as a workaround.

Classification
Writeup 90%
Attack Type
Xss
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: jQuery < 3.5.0
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Untrusted HTML input containing `<option>` elements · Use of jQuery's DOM manipulation methods (e.g., `.html()`, `.append()`)
MITRE ATT&CK
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
github WORKING POC
by CoderDias · poc
https://github.com/CoderDias/CVE-POCs/tree/main/CVE-2020-11023

This repository contains a functional proof-of-concept for CVE-2020-11023, a mutation XSS (mXSS) vulnerability in jQuery versions before 3.5.0. The exploit leverages improper HTML sanitization in jQuery's DOM manipulation methods to inject and execute malicious scripts.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Xss
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: jQuery versions before 3.5.0
No auth needed
Prerequisites: User-controlled input processed by jQuery's DOM manipulation methods (e.g., .html(), .append())
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 27, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by towaos · poc
https://github.com/towaos/towaos-lab-cve-2020-11023

This repository demonstrates CVE-2020-11023, a jQuery XSS vulnerability where user input is unsafely rendered using `.html()`. The PoC includes payloads and mitigation techniques.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Xss
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: jQuery 3.4.1 (and earlier versions)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: User input reflected in jQuery `.html()` method
MITRE ATT&CK
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WRITEUP
by andreassundstrom · poc
https://github.com/andreassundstrom/cve-2020-11023-demonstration

This repository demonstrates CVE-2020-11023, a jQuery XSS vulnerability affecting versions prior to 3.5.0. It includes a proof-of-concept showing how malicious HTML attributes can bypass jQuery's sanitization when using the .html() function.

Classification
Writeup 90%
Attack Type
Xss
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: jQuery < 3.5.0
No auth needed
Prerequisites: A web application using vulnerable jQuery version
MITRE ATT&CK
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (67)

Core 67
Core References
Mailing List, Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4693
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202007-03
Broken Link, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-11/msg00039.html
Mailing List, Third Party Advisory mailing-list
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/03/msg00033.html
Mailing List, Third Party Advisory mailing-list
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/08/msg00040.html
Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
https://jquery.com/upgrade-guide/3.5/

Scores

CVSS v3 6.9
EPSS 0.3410
EPSS Percentile 97.1%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:N

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation active
Automatable no
Technical Impact partial

Details

CISA KEV 2025-01-23
VulnCheck KEV 2021-01-21
InTheWild.io 2021-07-30
ENISA EUVD EUVD-2020-0387
CWE
CWE-79
Status published
Products (48)
components/jquery 1.0.3 - 3.5.0Packagist
debian/debian_linux 9.0
drupal/drupal 7.0 - 7.70
fedoraproject/fedora 31
fedoraproject/fedora 32
fedoraproject/fedora 33
jquery/jquery 1.0.3 - 3.5.0
netapp/active_iq_unified_manager (3 CPE variants)
netapp/cloud_backup
netapp/cloud_insights_storage_workload_security_agent
... and 38 more
Published Apr 29, 2020
KEV Added Jan 23, 2025
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026