Cross-site Scripting Vulnerability in sanitize-html by ApostropheCMS
CVE-2014-125128

6.1MEDIUM

Key Information:

Status
Vendor
CVE Published:
8 September 2025

Badges

👾 Exploit Exists🟡 Public PoC

What is CVE-2014-125128?

The sanitize-html library, prior to version 1.0.3, is susceptible to Cross-site Scripting (XSS) attacks due to improper validation of the 'href' attribute in anchor tags. Specifically, the function 'naughtyHref' fails to correctly sanitize hyper-references, allowing attackers to exploit vulnerabilities via variations in case sensitivity, whitespace, or hexadecimal encodings. This oversight poses a significant risk for web applications utilizing this library, potentially enabling unauthorized script execution in the context of the user’s browser.

Exploit Proof of Concept (PoC)

PoC code is written by security researchers to demonstrate the vulnerability can be exploited. PoC code is also a key component for weaponization which could lead to ransomware.

CVE-2014-125128 - Proof of Concept

References

https://github.com/apostrophecms/sanitize-html/issues/1
issue-tracking
https://github.com/apostrophecms/sanitize-html/commit/889...
patch
https://github.com/apostrophecms/sanitize-html/commit/423...
patch

CVSS V3.1

Score:
6.1
Severity:
MEDIUM
Confidentiality:
Low
Integrity:
Low
Availability:
Low
Attack Vector:
Network
Attack Complexity:
Low
Privileges Required:
None
User Interaction:
Required
Scope:
Changed

Timeline

  • 🟡

    Public PoC available

  • 👾

    Exploit known to exist

  • Vulnerability published

  • Vulnerability Reserved

Credit

Christian Silver (Pinpickle)
.