# CVE-2021-20222: Code injection in keycloak

> Attackers can execute malicious code via the referrer URL in Keycloak's account console, compromising data and system availability.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **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:** 23 Mar 2021
- **Updated:** 3 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-2mq8-99q7-55wx

## What is CVE-2021-20222?

CVE-2021-20222 is a high-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in Redhat Keycloak, published on 23 Mar 2021. 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

A flaw was found in keycloak. The new account console in keycloak can allow malicious code to be executed using the referrer URL. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data confidentiality and integrity as well as system availability.

Weakness: CWE-79 (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation), CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-20222?

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


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `org.keycloak:keycloak-parent` | Maven | From 9.0.0 | 12.0.3 |
| `org.keycloak:keycloak-parent` | Maven | From 9.0.0 | 12.0.3 |

Products: Redhat Keycloak.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-20222?

Upgrade org.keycloak:keycloak-parent to 12.0.3 or later.

## Is CVE-2021-20222 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-20222 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Redhat Keycloak

- [CVE-2022-4361](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-4361/): Keycloak vulnerable to cross-site scripting when validating URI-schemes on SAML and OIDC (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2022-1245](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-1245/): Keycloak vulnerable to privilege escalation on Token Exchange feature (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2021-20195](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-20195/): keycloak Self Stored Cross-site Scripting vulnerability (critical 9.6)
- [CVE-2019-14910](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-14910/): Keycloak Authentication Error (critical 9.3)
- [CVE-2019-14909](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-14909/): Keycloak Authentication Error (critical 9.3)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-20222 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-20222 is a high-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in Redhat Keycloak, published on 23 Mar 2021. 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-2021-20222 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.keycloak:keycloak-parent (Maven): affected from 9.0.0; fixed in 12.0.3
- org.keycloak:keycloak-parent (Maven): affected from 9.0.0; fixed in 12.0.3

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-2021-20222/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-20222/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-20222
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-20222
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-20222

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-20222/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.