# CVE-2020-21485: Alluxio Cross Site Scripting vulnerability

> A remote attacker can execute arbitrary code via a Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability in the Alluxio browse board component.

- **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:** No
- **Published:** 20 Jun 2023
- **Updated:** 9 Dec 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-298m-hvgh-x9cw

## What is CVE-2020-21485?

CVE-2020-21485 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in n/a, published on 20 Jun 2023. 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

Cross Site Scripting vulnerability in Alluxio v.1.8.1 allows a remote attacker to executea arbitrary code via the path parameter in the browse board component.

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-21485?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.alluxio:alluxio-parent. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `org.alluxio:alluxio-parent` | Maven | All versions to 1.8.1 | None |
| `org.alluxio:alluxio-parent` | Maven | All versions to 1.8.1 | None |

Products: Alluxio Alluxio.

## How do I fix CVE-2020-21485?

No fix has been published for CVE-2020-21485 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2020-21485 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2020-21485 exists.

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2023-38889](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-38889/): Alluxio vulnerable to arbitrary code execution (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2022-23848](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-23848/): Command injection in Alluxio (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2020-21485 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2020-21485 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in n/a, published on 20 Jun 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2020-21485 exists.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.alluxio:alluxio-parent (Maven): affected all versions up to 1.8.1; no fix listed
- org.alluxio:alluxio-parent (Maven): affected all versions up to 1.8.1; no fix listed

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-2020-21485/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-21485/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-21485
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-21485
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2020-21485

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-21485/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.