CVE-2020-17542Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Browser script execution via stored task comments

Published Apr 23, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Stored cross-site scripting in dotCMS 5.1.5 workflow comments allows remote authenticated users to execute JavaScript in another user's browser. The Task Detail comment window stores an injected script payload and renders it without effective neutralization when the workflow task page is reopened. A low-privilege account must submit the comment and another user must revisit the task page; the script can read browser-accessible cookies or act within that user's session.

CVSS severity5.4
Medium
EPSS probability0.84%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Stored cross-site scripting in dotCMS 5.1.5 workflow comments allows remote authenticated users to execute JavaScript in another user's browser. The Task Detail comment window stores an injected script payload and renders it without effective neutralization when the workflow task page is reopened. A low-privilege account must submit the comment and another user must revisit the task page; the script can read browser-accessible cookies or act within that user's session.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-17542
Published
Apr 23, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-79, T1059.007
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 23, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

5.4INCIBE-CERTCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
3.5INCIBE-CERTAV:N/AC:M/Au:S/C:N/I:P/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-79Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
T1059.007JavaScript/JScript

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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