CVE-2012-4230: The bbcode plugin in TinyMCE 3.5.8 does not properly enforce the TinyMCE security policy for the (1) encoding

Routine

MEDIUM 4.3DOWNGRADE

CVE-2012-4230 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.3) affecting tinymce. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The bbcode plugin in TinyMCE 3.5.8 does not properly enforce the TinyMCE security policy for the (1) encoding directive and (2) valid_elements attribute, which allows attackers to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks via application-specific vectors, as demonstrated using a textarea element.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.3 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	1.4% (top 28%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-264
Published	2014-04-25
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: tinymce

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2014-04-25 14:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:44 UTCUpdated Record last modified

tinymce tinymce DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.5.8

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.5.8

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy tinymce || rpm -q tinymce || tinymce --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.5.8 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison tinymce sudo apt install tinymce=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.5.8> sudo apt-mark hold tinymce

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list tinymce sudo dnf downgrade tinymce-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.5.8> sudo dnf versionlock add tinymce

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.

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-2012-4230?

tinymce: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2012-4230 being exploited?

CVE-2012-4230 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-2012-4230 affect?

CVE-2012-4230 affects tinymce. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.3). The bbcode plugin in TinyMCE 3.5.8 does not properly enforce the TinyMCE security policy for the (1) encoding directive and (2) valid_elements attribute, which allows attackers to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks via application-s

How urgent is CVE-2012-4230?

Priority 38/100. Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-47759 HIGH 8.7 UPGRADE TinyMCE is an open source rich text editor
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CVE-2026-47761 HIGH 8.7 UPGRADE TinyMCE is an open source rich text editor
CVE-2026-47760 HIGH 8.7 UPGRADE TinyMCE is an open source rich text editor
CVE-2024-21911 MEDIUM 6.1 UPGRADE TinyMCE versions before 5.6.0 are affected by a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability

References

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