# CVE-2020-13932: Cross-site Scripting (XSS) in Apache ActiveMQ Artemis

> Attackers can inject malicious scripts via MQTT packets to execute code in the admin console browser, requiring an upgrade to secure the message broker.

- **Severity:** Medium 6.1 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 20 Jul 2020
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-3h2h-xqr2-2jp7

## What is CVE-2020-13932?

CVE-2020-13932 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in Apache ActiveMQ Artemis, published on 20 Jul 2020. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

In Apache ActiveMQ Artemis 2.5.0 to 2.13.0, a specially crafted MQTT packet which has an XSS payload as client-id or topic name can exploit this vulnerability. The XSS payload is being injected into the admin console's browser. The XSS payload is triggered in the diagram plugin; queue node and the info section.

Weakness: CWE-79 (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-13932?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.apache.activemq:apache-artemis. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `org.apache.activemq:apache-artemis` | Maven | From 2.5.0 | 2.14.0 |
| `org.apache.activemq:apache-artemis` | Maven | From 2.5.0 | 2.14.0 |

Products: Apache Artemis.

## How do I fix CVE-2020-13932?

Upgrade org.apache.activemq:apache-artemis to 2.14.0 or later.

## Is CVE-2020-13932 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-13932 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Apache ActiveMQ Artemis

- [CVE-2026-57967](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-57967/): Apache Artemis, Apache ActiveMQ Artemis: Missing authentication on CORE protocol session reattachment (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2026-27446](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-27446/): Apache Artemis, Apache ActiveMQ Artemis: Auth bypass for Core downstream federation (critical 9.3)
- [CVE-2026-49364](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-49364/): Information disclosure in Apache ActiveMQ Artemis (critical 9.1)
- [CVE-2026-67593](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-67593/): Missing authorization in Apache ActiveMQ Artemis (critical 9.1)
- [CVE-2023-50780](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-50780/): Apache ActiveMQ Artemis: Authenticated users could perform RCE via Jolokia MBeans (high 8.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2020-13932 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2020-13932 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in Apache ActiveMQ Artemis, published on 20 Jul 2020. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-13932 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.apache.activemq:apache-artemis (Maven): affected from 2.5.0; fixed in 2.14.0
- org.apache.activemq:apache-artemis (Maven): affected from 2.5.0; fixed in 2.14.0

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-13932/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-13932/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-13932
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-13932
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2020-13932

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-13932/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.