CVE-2011-3642: Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Flowplayer Flash 3.2.7 through 3.2.16, as used in the News system

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CRITICAL 9.6UPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2011-3642 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.6) affecting flowplayer flash, flowplayer flash. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Flowplayer Flash 3.2.7 through 3.2.16, as used in the News system (news) extension for TYPO3 and Mahara, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the plugin configuration directive in a reference to an external domain plugin.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.6 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	8.8% (top 5%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-79
Published	2020-02-08
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: flowplayer

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-02-08 16:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:33 UTCUpdated Record last modified

flowplayer flowplayer flash UPGRADE

Affected: >= 3.2.7 and <= 3.2.16

Fixed in: newer than 3.2.16

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.2.7

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy flowplayer-flash || rpm -q flowplayer-flash || flowplayer-flash --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 3.2.16 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade flowplayer-flash

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade flowplayer-flash

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.2.7 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison flowplayer-flash sudo apt install flowplayer-flash=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.2.7> sudo apt-mark hold flowplayer-flash

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list flowplayer-flash sudo dnf downgrade flowplayer-flash-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.2.7> sudo dnf versionlock add flowplayer-flash

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

flowplayer flowplayer flash UPGRADE

Affected: >= 3.2.7 and <= 3.2.16

Fixed in: newer than 3.2.16

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.2.7

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy flowplayer-flash || rpm -q flowplayer-flash || flowplayer-flash --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 3.2.16 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade flowplayer-flash

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade flowplayer-flash

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.2.7 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison flowplayer-flash sudo apt install flowplayer-flash=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.2.7> sudo apt-mark hold flowplayer-flash

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list flowplayer-flash sudo dnf downgrade flowplayer-flash-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.2.7> sudo dnf versionlock add flowplayer-flash

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Flowplayer 3.2.7 - 'linkUrl' Cross-Site Scripting

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2011-3642?

flowplayer flash: upgrade to newer than 3.2.16; flowplayer flash: upgrade to newer than 3.2.16. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2011-3642 being exploited?

CVE-2011-3642 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2011-3642 affect?

CVE-2011-3642 affects flowplayer flash, flowplayer flash. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.6). Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Flowplayer Flash 3.2.7 through 3.2.16, as used in the News system (news) extension for TYPO3 and Mahara, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the plugin configuration

How urgent is CVE-2011-3642?

Priority 62/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Software pages

TYPO3 vulnerabilities

References

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