CVE-2020-13959
6.1 · MEDIUMOverview
CVE-2020-13959 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting apache velocity_tools. It was published on March 10, 2021 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.1 (MEDIUM).
This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.1, rated MEDIUM. It can be exploited remotely over the network. No authentication or special privileges are required for exploitation.
Technical Description
The default error page for VelocityView in Apache Velocity Tools prior to 3.1 reflects back the vm file that was entered as part of the URL. An attacker can set an XSS payload file as this vm file in the URL which results in this payload being executed. XSS vulnerabilities allow attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of the attacked website and the attacked user. This can be abused to steal session cookies, perform requests in the name of the victim or for phishing attacks.
Remediation
Check the references section for vendor advisories and patches from apache. Update velocity_tools to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.
Affected Products
| Vendor | Product | Versions | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| apache | velocity_tools | >= 0, < 3.1 | Affected |
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2020-13959?
CVE-2020-13959 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting apache velocity_tools. It was published on March 10, 2021 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.1 (MEDIUM).
How severe is CVE-2020-13959?
This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.1, rated MEDIUM. It can be exploited remotely over the network. No authentication or special privileges are required for exploitation.
How do I fix or remediate CVE-2020-13959?
Check the references section for vendor advisories and patches from apache. Update velocity_tools to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.
How can CyberStrike help with CVE-2020-13959?
CyberStrike's AI-powered security agents can automatically detect CVE-2020-13959 across your infrastructure using autonomous pentesting, DAST scanning, and HackBrowser. The platform continuously monitors for known vulnerabilities and provides actionable remediation guidance prioritized by real-world exploitability.
How CyberStrike Helps
AI agents map your attack surface to find vulnerabilities like this one.
Automated penetration testing that runs continuously, not just quarterly.
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Browser-based exploitation validates findings with real proof-of-concept.
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