Cross-site scripting (XSS) in Apache Velocity Tools
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.
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.apache.velocity.tools:velocity-tools-parent | < 3.1 | 3.1 |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.apache.velocity:velocity-tools | <= 2.0 | no fix |
References
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-13959
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6802a38c3041059e763a1aadd7b37fe95de75408144b5805e29b84e3%40%3Cuser.velocity.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6802a38c3041059e763a1aadd7b37fe95de75408144b5805e29b84e3@%3Cuser.velocity.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r97edad0655770342d2d36620fb1de50b142fcd6c4f5c53dd72ca41d7@%3Cuser.velocity.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb042f3b0090e419cc9f5a3d32cf0baff283ccd6fcb1caea61915d6b6@%3Ccommits.velocity.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf9868c564cff7adfd5283563f2309b93b3e496354a211a57503b2f72@%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/03/msg00021.html
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202107-52
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/03/10/2
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-79- Platform
- Java / Kotlin (Maven)
- Package
org.apache.velocity.tools:velocity-tools-parent, org.apache.velocity:velocity-tools- Disclosed
- 12.03.2021
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 11:21
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-fh63-4r66-jc7v - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: org.apache.velocity.tools:velocity-tools-parent
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Java / Kotlin (Maven)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
This is the only known vulnerability of this package.
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