FKIE_CVE-2020-13959

Vulnerability from fkie_nvd - Published: 2021-03-10 08:15 - Updated: 2026-06-17 02:54
Severity
6.1 (Medium) - CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
Summary
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.
References
security@apache.orghttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/03/10/2Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
security@apache.orghttps://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6802a38c3041059e763a1aadd7b37fe95de75408144b5805e29b84e3%40%3Cuser.velocity.apache.org%3EMailing List, Vendor Advisory
security@apache.orghttps://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6802a38c3041059e763a1aadd7b37fe95de75408144b5805e29b84e3%40%3Cuser.velocity.apache.org%3EMailing List, Vendor Advisory
security@apache.orghttps://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6802a38c3041059e763a1aadd7b37fe95de75408144b5805e29b84e3%40%3Cuser.velocity.apache.org%3EMailing List, Vendor Advisory
security@apache.orghttps://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6802a38c3041059e763a1aadd7b37fe95de75408144b5805e29b84e3%40%3Cuser.velocity.apache.org%3EMailing List, Vendor Advisory
security@apache.orghttps://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r97edad0655770342d2d36620fb1de50b142fcd6c4f5c53dd72ca41d7%40%3Cuser.velocity.apache.org%3E
security@apache.orghttps://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb042f3b0090e419cc9f5a3d32cf0baff283ccd6fcb1caea61915d6b6%40%3Ccommits.velocity.apache.org%3E
security@apache.orghttps://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf9868c564cff7adfd5283563f2309b93b3e496354a211a57503b2f72%40%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E
security@apache.orghttps://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/03/msg00021.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
security@apache.orghttps://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202107-52Third Party Advisory
af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/03/10/2Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6802a38c3041059e763a1aadd7b37fe95de75408144b5805e29b84e3%40%3Cuser.velocity.apache.org%3EMailing List, Vendor Advisory
af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6802a38c3041059e763a1aadd7b37fe95de75408144b5805e29b84e3%40%3Cuser.velocity.apache.org%3EMailing List, Vendor Advisory
af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6802a38c3041059e763a1aadd7b37fe95de75408144b5805e29b84e3%40%3Cuser.velocity.apache.org%3EMailing List, Vendor Advisory
af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6802a38c3041059e763a1aadd7b37fe95de75408144b5805e29b84e3%40%3Cuser.velocity.apache.org%3EMailing List, Vendor Advisory
af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r97edad0655770342d2d36620fb1de50b142fcd6c4f5c53dd72ca41d7%40%3Cuser.velocity.apache.org%3E
af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb042f3b0090e419cc9f5a3d32cf0baff283ccd6fcb1caea61915d6b6%40%3Ccommits.velocity.apache.org%3E
af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf9868c564cff7adfd5283563f2309b93b3e496354a211a57503b2f72%40%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E
af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/03/msg00021.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202107-52Third Party Advisory
Impacted products
Vendor Product Version
apache velocity_tools *
debian debian_linux 9.0
To clipboard 

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "affectedData": [
        {
          "product": "Apache Velocity Tools",
          "vendor": "Apache Software Foundation",
          "versions": [
            {
              "lessThan": "3.1",
              "status": "affected",
              "version": "Apache Velocity Tools",
              "versionType": "custom"
            }
          ]
        }
      ],
      "source": "security@apache.org"
    }
  ],
  "configurations": [
    {
      "nodes": [
        {
          "cpeMatch": [
            {
              "criteria": "cpe:2.3:a:apache:velocity_tools:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
              "matchCriteriaId": "6EE0674F-1ACB-4722-9A59-B6DD4207635B",
              "versionEndExcluding": "3.1",
              "vulnerable": true
            }
          ],
          "negate": false,
          "operator": "OR"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "nodes": [
        {
          "cpeMatch": [
            {
              "criteria": "cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
              "matchCriteriaId": "DEECE5FC-CACF-4496-A3E7-164736409252",
              "vulnerable": true
            }
          ],
          "negate": false,
          "operator": "OR"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "cveTags": [],
  "descriptions": [
    {
      "lang": "en",
      "value": "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."
    },
    {
      "lang": "es",
      "value": "La p\u00e1gina de error predeterminada para VelocityView en Apache Velocity Tools versiones anteriores a 3.1, refleja el archivo vm que se ingres\u00f3 como parte de la URL.\u0026#xa0;Un atacante puede configurar un archivo de carga \u00fatil de tipo XSS como este archivo vm en la URL, que resulta en que esta carga \u00fatil sea ejecutada.\u0026#xa0;Las vulnerabilidades de tipo XSS, permiten a atacantes ejecutar JavaScript arbitrario en el contexto del sitio web atacado y del usuario atacado.\u0026#xa0;Esto puede ser abusado para robar cookies de sesi\u00f3n, llevar a cabo peticiones en nombre de la v\u00edctima o para ataques de phishing"
    }
  ],
  "id": "CVE-2020-13959",
  "lastModified": "2026-06-17T02:54:00.697",
  "metrics": {
    "cvssMetricV2": [
      {
        "acInsufInfo": false,
        "baseSeverity": "MEDIUM",
        "cvssData": {
          "accessComplexity": "MEDIUM",
          "accessVector": "NETWORK",
          "authentication": "NONE",
          "availabilityImpact": "NONE",
          "baseScore": 4.3,
          "confidentialityImpact": "NONE",
          "integrityImpact": "PARTIAL",
          "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N",
          "version": "2.0"
        },
        "exploitabilityScore": 8.6,
        "impactScore": 2.9,
        "obtainAllPrivilege": false,
        "obtainOtherPrivilege": false,
        "obtainUserPrivilege": false,
        "source": "nvd@nist.gov",
        "type": "Primary",
        "userInteractionRequired": true
      }
    ],
    "cvssMetricV31": [
      {
        "cvssData": {
          "attackComplexity": "LOW",
          "attackVector": "NETWORK",
          "availabilityImpact": "NONE",
          "baseScore": 6.1,
          "baseSeverity": "MEDIUM",
          "confidentialityImpact": "LOW",
          "integrityImpact": "LOW",
          "privilegesRequired": "NONE",
          "scope": "CHANGED",
          "userInteraction": "REQUIRED",
          "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N",
          "version": "3.1"
        },
        "exploitabilityScore": 2.8,
        "impactScore": 2.7,
        "source": "nvd@nist.gov",
        "type": "Primary"
      }
    ]
  },
  "published": "2021-03-10T08:15:14.760",
  "references": [
    {
      "source": "security@apache.org",
      "tags": [
        "Mailing List",
        "Third Party Advisory"
      ],
      "url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/03/10/2"
    },
    {
      "source": "security@apache.org",
      "tags": [
        "Mailing List",
        "Vendor Advisory"
      ],
      "url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6802a38c3041059e763a1aadd7b37fe95de75408144b5805e29b84e3%40%3Cuser.velocity.apache.org%3E"
    },
    {
      "source": "security@apache.org",
      "tags": [
        "Mailing List",
        "Vendor Advisory"
      ],
      "url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6802a38c3041059e763a1aadd7b37fe95de75408144b5805e29b84e3%40%3Cuser.velocity.apache.org%3E"
    },
    {
      "source": "security@apache.org",
      "tags": [
        "Mailing List",
        "Vendor Advisory"
      ],
      "url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6802a38c3041059e763a1aadd7b37fe95de75408144b5805e29b84e3%40%3Cuser.velocity.apache.org%3E"
    },
    {
      "source": "security@apache.org",
      "tags": [
        "Mailing List",
        "Vendor Advisory"
      ],
      "url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6802a38c3041059e763a1aadd7b37fe95de75408144b5805e29b84e3%40%3Cuser.velocity.apache.org%3E"
    },
    {
      "source": "security@apache.org",
      "url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r97edad0655770342d2d36620fb1de50b142fcd6c4f5c53dd72ca41d7%40%3Cuser.velocity.apache.org%3E"
    },
    {
      "source": "security@apache.org",
      "url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb042f3b0090e419cc9f5a3d32cf0baff283ccd6fcb1caea61915d6b6%40%3Ccommits.velocity.apache.org%3E"
    },
    {
      "source": "security@apache.org",
      "url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf9868c564cff7adfd5283563f2309b93b3e496354a211a57503b2f72%40%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E"
    },
    {
      "source": "security@apache.org",
      "tags": [
        "Mailing List",
        "Third Party Advisory"
      ],
      "url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/03/msg00021.html"
    },
    {
      "source": "security@apache.org",
      "tags": [
        "Third Party Advisory"
      ],
      "url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202107-52"
    },
    {
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108",
      "tags": [
        "Mailing List",
        "Third Party Advisory"
      ],
      "url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/03/10/2"
    },
    {
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108",
      "tags": [
        "Mailing List",
        "Vendor Advisory"
      ],
      "url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6802a38c3041059e763a1aadd7b37fe95de75408144b5805e29b84e3%40%3Cuser.velocity.apache.org%3E"
    },
    {
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108",
      "tags": [
        "Mailing List",
        "Vendor Advisory"
      ],
      "url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6802a38c3041059e763a1aadd7b37fe95de75408144b5805e29b84e3%40%3Cuser.velocity.apache.org%3E"
    },
    {
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108",
      "tags": [
        "Mailing List",
        "Vendor Advisory"
      ],
      "url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6802a38c3041059e763a1aadd7b37fe95de75408144b5805e29b84e3%40%3Cuser.velocity.apache.org%3E"
    },
    {
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108",
      "tags": [
        "Mailing List",
        "Vendor Advisory"
      ],
      "url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6802a38c3041059e763a1aadd7b37fe95de75408144b5805e29b84e3%40%3Cuser.velocity.apache.org%3E"
    },
    {
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108",
      "url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r97edad0655770342d2d36620fb1de50b142fcd6c4f5c53dd72ca41d7%40%3Cuser.velocity.apache.org%3E"
    },
    {
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108",
      "url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb042f3b0090e419cc9f5a3d32cf0baff283ccd6fcb1caea61915d6b6%40%3Ccommits.velocity.apache.org%3E"
    },
    {
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108",
      "url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf9868c564cff7adfd5283563f2309b93b3e496354a211a57503b2f72%40%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E"
    },
    {
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108",
      "tags": [
        "Mailing List",
        "Third Party Advisory"
      ],
      "url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/03/msg00021.html"
    },
    {
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108",
      "tags": [
        "Third Party Advisory"
      ],
      "url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202107-52"
    }
  ],
  "sourceIdentifier": "security@apache.org",
  "vulnStatus": "Modified",
  "weaknesses": [
    {
      "description": [
        {
          "lang": "en",
          "value": "CWE-79"
        }
      ],
      "source": "security@apache.org",
      "type": "Secondary"
    },
    {
      "description": [
        {
          "lang": "en",
          "value": "CWE-79"
        }
      ],
      "source": "nvd@nist.gov",
      "type": "Primary"
    }
  ]
}



Log in or create an account to share your comment.




Tags
Taxonomy of the tags.




Drag nodes to arrange them. Double-click a related vulnerability to open it, or a source to visit its link. The Physics button on the left tunes the layout and the simulation; the legend at the bottom left hides or shows nodes by kind and by sighting type.

Forecast uses a logistic model when the trend is rising, or an exponential decay model when the trend is falling. Fitted via linearized least squares.

Sightings

Author Source Type Date Other

Nomenclature

  • Seen: The vulnerability was mentioned, discussed, or observed by the user.
  • Confirmed: The vulnerability has been validated from an analyst's perspective.
  • Published Proof of Concept: A public proof of concept is available for this vulnerability.
  • Exploited: The vulnerability was observed as exploited by the user who reported the sighting.
  • Patched: The vulnerability was observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.
  • Not exploited: The vulnerability was not observed as exploited by the user who reported the sighting.
  • Not confirmed: The user expressed doubt about the validity of the vulnerability.
  • Not patched: The vulnerability was not observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.
Vulnerability timeline

Sightings and recorded dates, grouped by day · UTC

JSON
How durations are calculated

Following the VTEM framework (Black Hat USA 2015), time to patch starts when the vendor or a coordinator was informed, total time to patch at discovery, and disclosure to patch at public disclosure; vendor response time runs from the report to its acknowledgement. Time to exploit and time unpatched start at the earliest discovery or report, falling back to public disclosure. Unpatched time ends at the first recorded patch, or the calculation time when no patch is recorded. Exploitation to patch shows the interval between those two events; a published proof of concept is a public exploit, not exploitation.

Each result shows its source dates. A negative interval means the end event came first; when date-only inputs leave the order open, the result says so. Date-only inputs are approximate. The earliest evidence wins: KEV report dates and sightings are labelled as such. Records describing another vulnerability are listed but never calculated from, and a PoC alone does not establish exploitation. Missing patch evidence does not prove that no patch exists. Filters below change the event list only.

Loading timeline…




    Related by attack behaviour

    Vulnerabilities whose description is nearest to this one in the vector space of the CIRCL/vulnerability-attack-technique-biencoder model. This is a similarity search over the bi-encoder space (plain cosine), not a classification, and it has no measured accuracy.