CVE-2020-5529 Code execution vulnerability in HtmlUnit
Improper initialization of the Rhino engine in HtmlUnit allows malicious JavaScript to execute arbitrary Java code, posing a risk to applications using this library.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2020-5529?
CVE-2020-5529 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in Apache Camel, published on 11 Feb 2020. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
HtmlUnit prior to 2.37.0 contains code execution vulnerabilities. HtmlUnit initializes Rhino engine improperly, hence a malicious JavScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application. Moreover, when embedded in Android application, Android-specific initialization of Rhino engine is done in an improper way, hence a malicious JavaScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-5529?
2 open source packages ship an affected version, including net.sourceforge.htmlunit:htmlunit. It affects 4 products.
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
net.sourceforge.htmlunit:htmlunit Maven | All versions | 2.37.0 |
net.sourceforge.htmlunit:htmlunit Maven | All versions | 2.37.0 |
Products include Apache Camel, Canonical Ubuntu Linux, Debian Debian Linux, Htmlunit Htmlunit.
How do I fix CVE-2020-5529?
Upgrade net.sourceforge.htmlunit:htmlunit to 2.37.0 or later.
Upgrade, and never evaluate templates, expressions or code built from user input. More about Code injection.
Is CVE-2020-5529 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-5529 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Apache Camel
- CVE-2026-33453 Apache camel-coap allows header injection that can lead to remote code execution
- CVE-2026-40453 Apache Camel has an incomplete fix for CVE-2025-27636
- CVE-2026-80351 Apache Camel K: Camel K Tenant repositories reach Maven execution inside operator pod
- CVE-2026-80352 Apache Camel K: Camel K Master trait serviceAccountName YAML injection lets CR author apply arbitrary objects
- CVE-2026-71300 Apache Camel: Camel-Atmosphere-Websocket: WebSocket dispatch header injection
Sources
Also known as DLA-2326-1, GHSA-5mh9-r3rr-9597, MGASA-2021-0148, UBUNTU-CVE-2020-5529, USN-4584-1.