CVE-2020-11023: JQuery Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Vulnerability

Patch now

MEDIUM 6.9EXPLOITEDWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2020-11023 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.9) affecting jquery, debian linux, fedora, reported as exploited in the wild. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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.

Why this priority

EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.9 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	84.9% (top 1%)
CISA exploited list	Yes, fix due 2025-02-13
Weakness	CWE-79
Published	2020-04-29
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: debian · drupal · fedoraproject · jquery · oracle

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-04-29 21:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2025-01-23Exploited Added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
2025-02-13Deadline CISA due date for US federal agencies to patch
2026-06-17 02:48 UTCUpdated Record last modified

jquery jquery UPGRADE

Affected: >= 1.0.3 and < 3.5.0

Fixed in: 3.5.0

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0.3

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 3.5.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade jquery

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade jquery

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 1.0.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison jquery sudo apt install jquery=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.3> sudo apt-mark hold jquery

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

dnf --showduplicates list jquery sudo dnf downgrade jquery-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.3> sudo dnf versionlock add jquery

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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 9.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE

Affected: 31 · 32 · 33

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 31

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

drupal drupal UPGRADE

Affected: >= 7.0 and < 7.70 · >= 8.7.0 and < 8.7.14 · >= 8.8.0 and < 8.8.6

Fixed in: 7.70, 8.7.14, 8.8.6

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 7.70 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade drupal

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade drupal

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 7.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison drupal sudo apt install drupal=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.0> sudo apt-mark hold drupal

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

dnf --showduplicates list drupal sudo dnf downgrade drupal-<VERSION_BEFORE_7.0> sudo dnf versionlock add drupal

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.

oracle application express UPGRADE

Affected: < 20.2

Fixed in: 20.2

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy application-express || rpm -q application-express || application-express --version

2. UPGRADE to 20.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade application-express

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade application-express

Note

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

oracle application testing suite DOWNGRADE

Affected: 13.3.0.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 13.3.0.1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy application-testing-suite || rpm -q application-testing-suite || application-testing-suite --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 13.3.0.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison application-testing-suite sudo apt install application-testing-suite=<VERSION_BEFORE_13.3.0.1> sudo apt-mark hold application-testing-suite

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

dnf --showduplicates list application-testing-suite sudo dnf downgrade application-testing-suite-<VERSION_BEFORE_13.3.0.1> sudo dnf versionlock add application-testing-suite

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.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.

npm · jquery · FIXED · 3.5.0 · vulnerable: >= 1.0.3, < 3.5.0 · source

npm install jquery@">=3.5.0" npm ls jquery

RubyGems · jquery-rails · FIXED · 4.4.0 · vulnerable: < 4.4.0 · source

bundle update jquery-rails bundle list | grep jquery-rails

NuGet (.NET) · jQuery · FIXED · 3.5.0 · vulnerable: >= 1.0.3, < 3.5.0 · source

dotnet add package jQuery --version 3.5.0

Maven · org.webjars.npm:jquery · FIXED · 3.5.0 · vulnerable: >= 1.0.3, < 3.5.0 · source

Set org.webjars.npm:jquery to 3.5.0 or later in pom.xml or build.gradle, then rebuild and redeploy.

Composer (PHP) · components/jquery · FIXED · 3.5.0 · vulnerable: >= 1.0.3, < 3.5.0 · source

composer require "components/jquery:>=3.5.0"

Fedora 46 · feh · FIXED · 3.13.1-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-3c76a13a4f · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-3c76a13a4f

Fedora ELN · setroubleshoot · FIXED · 3.3.37-7.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-f81b122fe1 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-f81b122fe1

Ubuntu 20.04 · pcs · NOT AFFECTED

Ubuntu 22.04 · pcs · NOT AFFECTED

Ubuntu 24.04 · pcs · NOT AFFECTED

Ubuntu 20.04 · jquery · FIXED · 3.3.1~dfsg-3ubuntu0.1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade jquery dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' jquery)" ge "3.3.1~dfsg-3ubuntu0.1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Debian 12 · node-jquery · FIXED · 3.5.0+dfsg-2

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade node-jquery dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' node-jquery)" ge "3.5.0+dfsg-2" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Debian 13 · node-jquery · FIXED · 3.5.0+dfsg-2

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade node-jquery dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' node-jquery)" ge "3.5.0+dfsg-2" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Debian 12 · znc · NO FIX YET

Debian 13 · znc · NO FIX YET

RHEL 7 · pki-core · FIXED · pki-core-10.5.18-12.el7_9

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2021:0851 rpm -q pki-core

RHEL 7 · ipa · FIXED · ipa-4.6.8-5.el7_9.4

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2021:0860 rpm -q ipa

RHEL 7 · pcs · FIXED · pcs-0.9.169-3.el7_9.3

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2022:7343 rpm -q pcs

RHEL 7.7 Advanced Update Support · doxygen · FIXED · doxygen-1.8.5-3.el7_7.1

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2025:1256 rpm -q doxygen

RHEL 7.7 Advanced Update Support · ipa · FIXED · ipa-4.6.5-11.el7_7.5

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2025:1514 rpm -q ipa

Alpine 3.20 · cacti · FIXED · cacti-1.2.13-r0

apk add --upgrade cacti apk info -v cacti

Alpine 3.20 · drupal7 · FIXED · drupal7-7.70-r0

apk add --upgrade drupal7 apk info -v drupal7

Alpine 3.21 · cacti · FIXED · cacti-1.2.13-r0

apk add --upgrade cacti apk info -v cacti

Alpine 3.22 · cacti · FIXED · cacti-1.2.13-r0

apk add --upgrade cacti apk info -v cacti

Public exploits and detection

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

GitHub PoC: Cybernegro/CVE-2020-11023 (4 stars)
GitHub PoC: honeyb33z/cve-2020-11023-scanner (4 stars)
GitHub PoC: Snorlyd/https-nj.gov---CVE-2020-11023 (1 stars)
Write-up: www.oracle.com//security-alerts/cpujul2021.html
Write-up: www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuApr2021.html
Write-up: www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html
GitHub PoC: 0xAJ2K/CVE-2020-11022-CVE-2020-11023
Exploit-DB: jQuery 1.0.3 - Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · CISA KEV catalog · 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-2020-11023?

jquery: upgrade to 3.5.0; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-11023 being exploited?

Yes. CVE-2020-11023 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.

What does CVE-2020-11023 affect?

CVE-2020-11023 affects jquery, debian linux, fedora. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.9). 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 othe

How urgent is CVE-2020-11023?

Priority 84/100. EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV); Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Drupal vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities · jQuery vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2020-7656 MEDIUM 6.1 UPGRADE DOWNGRADE jquery prior to 1.9.0 allows Cross-site Scripting attacks via the load method
CVE-2020-11022 MEDIUM 6.9 UPGRADE UPGRADE In jQuery starting with 1.12.0 and before 3.5.0, passing HTML from untrusted sources - even after sanitizing i
CVE-2018-18405 MEDIUM 6.1 DOWNGRADE jQuery v2.2.2 allows XSS via a crafted onerror attribute of an IMG element

References

← Back to latest CVEs