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CVE Record

CVE-2021-23445: Cross-site Scripting (XSS)

This affects the package datatables.net before 1.11.3. If an array is passed to the HTML escape entities function it would not have its contents escaped.

LowCVSS 3.1Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysislow

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2021-23445 is a low-severity XSS issue in datatables.net before 1.11.3. If an application passes array values into the package’s HTML escaping path, the array contents may not be escaped, potentially exposing users to script execution when viewing affected table content.

Executive priority

Treat this as routine web dependency remediation, not an emergency, unless affected DataTables instances render sensitive or untrusted user content in high-value applications.

Technical view

The flaw is in datatables.net’s HTML entity escaping behavior: array input was not escaped element-by-element before 1.11.3. The CVSS vector shows network reachability, high attack complexity, no privileges, required user interaction, unchanged scope, and low confidentiality impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely in web applications or packaged products using datatables.net, datatables.js, or related WebJars versions before 1.11.3, especially where table data can include user-controlled arrays.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. Successful exploitation appears conditional on application data flow and user interaction, which aligns with the low CVSS score and high attack complexity.

Researcher notes

Evidence supports a narrow escaping flaw fixed around the 1.11.3 release. The source bundle does not provide exploit details, affected application patterns, or proof of active exploitation, so validation should focus on dependency inventory and reachable rendering paths.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade datatables.net to 1.11.3 or a later vendor-supported release.
  • Update affected WebJars or Debian datatables.js packages through supported channels.
  • Review NetApp guidance if using products covered by the advisory.
  • Avoid rendering untrusted array content until affected dependencies are fixed.
  • Check vendor advisories before relying on compensating controls.

Validation and detection

  • Check package manifests and lockfiles for datatables.net versions before 1.11.3.
  • Inspect Maven or WebJars dependencies for affected datatables.net packaging.
  • Search static assets and CDN references for DataTables versions before 1.11.3.
  • Confirm Debian systems include DLA 3529-1 or later applicable updates.
  • Review table-rendering paths that display user-controlled array data.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
7

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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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2021-23445 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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

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

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
8Source 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
3.1CVSS 3.1LowCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N/E:P1.61.4Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

3.1Low
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2021-23445Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

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/adatatables.netunspecifiedListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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