# GHSA-98pf-gfh3-x3mp: Read the Docs vulnerable to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

> A malicious user can execute arbitrary JavaScript in a victim's browser via a crafted URL, potentially hijacking their session on the documentation platform.

- **Severity:** Not scored
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 10 Nov 2022

## What is GHSA-98pf-gfh3-x3mp?

GHSA-98pf-gfh3-x3mp is a cross-site scripting vulnerability in readthedocs, published on 10 Nov 2022. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

### Impact

This vulnerability allowed a malicious user to serve arbitrary HTML files from the main application domain (readthedocs[.]org/readthedocs[.]com) by exploiting a vulnerability in the code that serves downloadable content from a project. 

Exploiting this would have required the attacker to get a logged-in user to visit the malicious URL, which would have allowed the attacker to take control of the user's session with JavaScript (making requests to the API/site on behalf of the user). This URL would have looked something like `hxxps[:]//readthedocs[.]org/projects/attacker-project/downloads/html/version-with-javascript-attack/`.

### Patches

This issue has been patched in our 8.8.1 release.

## Which versions are affected by GHSA-98pf-gfh3-x3mp?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including readthedocs.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `readthedocs` | npm | All versions | 8.8.1 |
| `readthedocs` | npm | All versions | 8.8.1 |

## How do I fix GHSA-98pf-gfh3-x3mp?

Upgrade readthedocs to 8.8.1 or later.

## Is GHSA-98pf-gfh3-x3mp being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of GHSA-98pf-gfh3-x3mp in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for GHSA-98pf-gfh3-x3mp and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: GHSA-98pf-gfh3-x3mp is a cross-site scripting vulnerability in readthedocs, published on 10 Nov 2022. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of GHSA-98pf-gfh3-x3mp in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- readthedocs (npm): affected all versions; fixed in 8.8.1
- readthedocs (npm): affected all versions; fixed in 8.8.1

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/GHSA-98pf-gfh3-x3mp/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-98pf-gfh3-x3mp/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GHSA-98pf-gfh3-x3mp

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-98pf-gfh3-x3mp/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.