python-markdown2 through 2.3.8 allows XSS because element names are mishandled unless a…
Priority LOW 31CWE-79Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Cross-site scripting
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Low · Low · None
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and GitHub. Impact type from CWE-79.
Summary
python-markdown2 through 2.3.8 allows XSS because element names are mishandled unless a \w+ match succeeds. For example, an attack might use elementname@ or elementname- with an onclick attribute.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.01932 80th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Public exploit Yes 1 exploit referenceTagged by NVD
Fix Fixed markdown2 (PyPI): 2.3.9
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | all versions | — | No fix listed | CNA |
| — | markdown2 (PyPI) | before 2.3.9 | 2.3.9 | Patch available | GHSA-fv3h-8x5j-pvgq |
- — Vendor— Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
- markdown2 (PyPI) Vendor— Affected before 2.3.9 Fixed in 2.3.9 Patch available GHSA-fv3h-8x5j-pvgq
CPE configurations NVD · 1
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:python-markdown2_project:python-markdown2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | up to 2.3.8 | Vulnerable | Python-markdown2 Project |
- cpe:2.3:a:python-markdown2_project:python-markdown2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions up to 2.3.8 Vulnerable ·Python-markdown2 Project
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-fv3h-8x5j-pvgq markdown2 (PyPI) Fixed in 2.3.9 Advisory →
Vendor assessments
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2020-11888
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-fv3h-8x5j-pvgq
References
Advisory 6
Other 5
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/markdown2/PYSEC-2020-65.yaml
- https://github.com/trentm/python-markdown2
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/6XOAIRJJCZNJUALXDHSIGH5PS2H63A3J
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/AQLRBGRVRRZK7P5SFL2MNGXFX37YHJAV
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/PN6QSHRFZXRQAYZJQ4MOW5MKIXBYOMED
More Python-markdown2 Project Python-markdown2 vulnerabilities
- TI-2018-04175 An issue was discovered in markdown2 (aka python-markdown2) through 2.3.5. CVSS 3.0MEDIUM 6.1
- TI-2009-03548 python-markdown2 before 1.0.1.14 has multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) issues. CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.1
Sources
- CVE-2020-11888 · CVE Program
- CVE-2020-11888 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-fv3h-8x5j-pvgq · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2020-11888 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences