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CVE Record

CVE-2020-36827: The XAO::Web module before 1.84 for Perl mishandles < and > characters in JSON output during use of json-em...

The XAO::Web module before 1.84 for Perl mishandles < and > characters in JSON output during use of json-embed in Web::Action.

MediumCVSS 5.4Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2020-36827 affects Perl applications using XAO::Web before 1.84. When JSON is embedded through Web::Action json-embed, angle brackets may not be handled safely, creating a browser-side injection risk if attacker-controlled content is included.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted remediation item, not an emergency. Prioritize internet-facing or authenticated user-facing Perl applications that use XAO::Web json-embed with user-supplied data.

Technical view

The issue is improper handling of < and > characters in JSON output generated by XAO::Web json-embed in Web::Action. The CVSS 3.1 score is 5.4, network-reachable, low complexity, low privileges required, with low confidentiality and integrity impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely limited to Perl applications that depend on XAO::Web before version 1.84 and use Web::Action json-embed with content that may include user-controlled values.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not show active exploitation, and the CVE is not listed as KEV. Practical risk depends on whether untrusted input reaches embedded JSON rendered by a browser.

Researcher notes

Evidence is narrow but consistent: the CVE description, affected version boundary, and upstream references point to unsafe angle-bracket handling in embedded JSON. No exploit status or broader affected product list is provided.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade XAO::Web to version 1.84 or later.
  • Review the upstream commit and changelog for the exact vendor fix.
  • Reduce or remove json-embed use for untrusted content until upgraded.
  • Retest pages that embed JSON into browser-rendered HTML.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Perl dependencies for XAO::Web versions before 1.84.
  • Search application code for Web::Action json-embed usage.
  • Trace whether user-controlled values can reach embedded JSON output.
  • Confirm upgraded deployments no longer use the vulnerable module version.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
4

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-791: Exact CWE lookup

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2020-36827 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
5.4 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
3Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
5.4CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N2.82.5Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

5.4Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2020-36827Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-791

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.

CWE-791 · source CWE mapping

Incomplete Filtering of Special Elements

Incomplete Filtering of Special Elements represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.

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