CVE-2026-25681
Description
A flaw was found in golang.org/x/net/html. A remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability by providing specially crafted HTML. When this arbitrary HTML is parsed and rendered, it can result in an unexpected HTML tree, bypassing input sanitization. This can be leveraged to execute Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution in applications that use the affected component.
Statement
This Important vulnerability in golang.org/x/net/html could enable remote attackers to execute Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. The flaw allows specially crafted HTML to bypass input sanitization during parsing and rendering. Red Hat products are affected if they process untrusted HTML content using the vulnerable component without additional output encoding or robust content security policies.
Mitigation
To mitigate this flaw, applications processing untrusted HTML input must implement strict input sanitization and ensure all output is properly encoded before rendering. Deploying a comprehensive Content Security Policy (CSP) can restrict script execution, further reducing the attack surface. Administrators should review application configurations to ensure adequate protection against XSS.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 8.1 | N/A | 6.1 |
| Attack Vector | Network | N/A | Network |
| Attack Complexity | Low | N/A | Low |
| Privileges Required | None | N/A | None |
| User Interaction | Required | N/A | Required |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | Changed |
| Confidentiality | High | N/A | Low |
| Integrity Impact | High | N/A | Low |
| Availability Impact | None | N/A | None |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Access Control,Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Bypass Protection Mechanism; Read Application Data
The most common attack performed with cross-site scripting involves the disclosure of private information stored in user cookies, such as session information. Typically, a malicious user will craft a client-side script, which -- when parsed by a web browser -- performs some activity on behalf of the victim to an attacker-controlled system (such as sending all site cookies to a given E-mail address). This could be especially dangerous to the site if the victim has administrator privileges to manage that site. This script will be loaded and run by each user visiting the web site. Since the site requesting to run the script has access to the cookies in question, the malicious script does also.
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
In some circumstances it may be possible to run arbitrary code on a victim's computer when cross-site scripting is combined with other flaws, for example, "drive-by hacking."
Confidentiality,Integrity,Availability,Access Control
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Bypass Protection Mechanism; Read Application Data
The consequence of an XSS attack is the same regardless of whether it is stored or reflected. The difference is in how the payload arrives at the server. XSS can cause a variety of problems for the end user that range in severity from an annoyance to complete account compromise. Some cross-site scripting vulnerabilities can be exploited to manipulate or steal cookies, create requests that can be mistaken for those of a valid user, compromise confidential information, or execute malicious code on the end user systems for a variety of nefarious purposes. Other damaging attacks include the disclosure of end user files, installation of Trojan horse programs, redirecting the user to some other page or site, running "Active X" controls (under Microsoft Internet Explorer) from sites that a user perceives as trustworthy, and modifying presentation of content.
Frequently Asked Questions
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