CVE-2020-36854 Async JavaScript <= 2.19.07.14 - Authenticated (Subscriber+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Authenticated attackers can inject malicious scripts via missing authorization and sanitization in the Async JavaScript plugin, affecting WordPress sites.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2020-36854?
CVE-2020-36854 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in cloughit Async JavaScript, published on 18 Oct 2025. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
The Async JavaScript plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting in versions up to, and including, 2.19.07.14. This is due to missing authorization checks on the aj_steps AJAX aciton along with a lack on sanitization on the settings saved via the function. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers with subscriber level permissions and above to inject malicious web scripts into a page that execute whenever a user accesses that page.
Weakness: CWE-79
Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-36854?
How do I fix CVE-2020-36854?
No fix has been published for CVE-2020-36854 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Escape output for the context it lands in and set a strict Content Security Policy. Upgrading the affected component is the real fix. More about Cross-site scripting.
Is CVE-2020-36854 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-36854 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-c384-m2mr-c4gg.