CVE-2023-36823
Sanitize vulnerable to Cross-site Scripting via insufficient neutralization of `style` element content
Sanitize is an allowlist-based HTML and CSS sanitizer. Using carefully crafted input, an attacker may be able to sneak arbitrary HTML and CSS through Sanitize starting with version 3.0.0 and prior to version 6.0.2 when Sanitize is configured to use the built-in "relaxed" config or when using a custom config that allows style elements and one or more CSS at-rules. This could result in cross-site scripting or other undesired behavior when the malicious HTML and CSS are rendered in a browser. Sanitize 6.0.2 performs additional escaping of CSS in style element content, which fixes this issue. Users who are unable to upgrade can prevent this issue by using a Sanitize config that doesn't allow style elements, using a Sanitize config that doesn't allow CSS at-rules, or by manually escaping the character sequence </ as <\/ in style element content.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- Required
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- Low
- Integrity
- Low
- Availability
- Low
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
7.1
Sanitize vulnerable to Cross-site Scripting via insufficient neutralization of `style` element content
Sanitize is an allowlist-based HTML and CSS sanitizer. Using carefully crafted input, an attacker may be able to sneak arbitrary HTML and CSS through Sanitize starting with version 3.0.0 and prior to version 6.0.2 when Sanitize is configured to use the built-in "relaxed" config or when using a custom config that allows style elements and one or more CSS at-rules. This could result in cross-site scripting or other undesired behavior when the malicious HTML and CSS are rendered in a browser. Sanitize 6.0.2 performs additional escaping of CSS in style element content, which fixes this issue. Users who are unable to upgrade can prevent this issue by using a Sanitize config that doesn't allow style elements, using a Sanitize config that doesn't allow CSS at-rules, or by manually escaping the character sequence </ as <\/ in style element content.
- Record
CVE-2023-36823- CVSS 3.1
- 7.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L - Weakness
- CWE-79
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2023-2045
7.1
Sanitize is an allowlist-based HTML and CSS sanitizer. Using carefully crafted input, an attacker may be able to sneak arbitrary HTML and CSS through Sanitize starting with version 3.0.0 and prior to version 6.0.2 when Sanitize is configured to use the built-in "relaxed" config or when using a custom config that allows style elements and one or more CSS at-rules. This could result in cross-site scripting or other undesired behavior when the malicious HTML and CSS are rendered in a browser. Sanitize 6.0.2 performs additional escaping of CSS in style element content, which fixes this issue. Users who are unable to upgrade can prevent this issue by using a Sanitize config that doesn't allow style elements, using a Sanitize config that doesn't allow CSS at-rules, or by manually escaping the character sequence </ as <\/ in style element content.
- Record
EUVD-2023-2045- CVSS 3.1
- 7.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L - Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-f5ww-cq3m-q3g7
7.1
Sanitize vulnerable to Cross-site Scripting via insufficient neutralization of `style` element content
Impact
Using carefully crafted input, an attacker may be able to sneak arbitrary HTML and CSS through Sanitize >= 3.0.0, < 6.0.2 when Sanitize is configured to use the built-in "relaxed" config or when using a custom config that allows style elements and one or more CSS at-rules. This could result in XSS (cross-site scripting) or other undesired behavior when the malicious HTML and CSS are rendered in a browser.
Patches
Sanitize >= 6.0.2 performs additional escaping of CSS in style element content, which fixes this issue.
Workarounds
Users who are unable to upgrade can prevent this issue by using a Sanitize config that doesn't allow style elements, using a Sanitize config that doesn't allow CSS at-rules, or by manually escaping the character sequence </ as <\/ in style element content.
Credit
This issue was found by @cure53 during an audit of a project that uses Sanitize and was reported by one of that project's maintainers. Thank you!
- Record
GHSA-f5ww-cq3m-q3g7- CVSS 3.1
- 7.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L - Weakness
- CWE-79
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
7.1
Sanitize is an allowlist-based HTML and CSS sanitizer. Using carefully crafted input, an attacker may be able to sneak arbitrary HTML and CSS through Sanitize starting with version 3.0.0 and prior to version 6.0.2 when Sanitize is configured to use the built-in "relaxed" config or when using a custom config that allows style elements and one or more CSS at-rules. This could result in cross-site scripting or other undesired behavior when the malicious HTML and CSS are rendered in a browser. Sanitize 6.0.2 performs additional escaping of CSS in style element content, which fixes this issue. Users who are unable to upgrade can prevent this issue by using a Sanitize config that doesn't allow style elements, using a Sanitize config that doesn't allow CSS at-rules, or by manually escaping the character sequence </ as <\/ in style element content.
- Record
CVE-2023-36823- CVSS 3.1
- 7.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L - CVSS 3.1
- 6.1 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-79
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
7.1
Sanitize vulnerable to Cross-site Scripting via insufficient neutralization of `style` element content
Sanitize is an allowlist-based HTML and CSS sanitizer. Using carefully crafted input, an attacker may be able to sneak arbitrary HTML and CSS through Sanitize starting with version 3.0.0 and prior to version 6.0.2 when Sanitize is configured to use the built-in "relaxed" config or when using a custom config that allows style elements and one or more CSS at-rules. This could result in cross-site scripting or other undesired behavior when the malicious HTML and CSS are rendered in a browser. Sanitize 6.0.2 performs additional escaping of CSS in style element content, which fixes this issue. Users who are unable to upgrade can prevent this issue by using a Sanitize config that doesn't allow style elements, using a Sanitize config that doesn't allow CSS at-rules, or by manually escaping the character sequence </ as <\/ in style element content.
- Record
CVE-2023-36823- CVSS 3.1
- 7.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L - Weakness
- CWE-79
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVDEBIAN-CVE-2023-36823
6.1
Sanitize is an allowlist-based HTML and CSS sanitizer. Using carefully crafted input, an attacker may be able to sneak arbitrary HTML and CSS through Sanitize starting with version 3.0.0 and prior to version 6.0.2 when Sanitize is configured to use the built-in "relaxed" config or when using a custom config that allows style elements and one or more CSS at-rules. This could result in cross-site scripting or other undesired behavior when the malicious HTML and CSS are rendered in a browser. Sanitize 6.0.2 performs additional escaping of CSS in style element content, which fixes this issue. Users who are unable to upgrade can prevent this issue by using a Sanitize config that doesn't allow style elements, using a Sanitize config that doesn't allow CSS at-rules, or by manually escaping the character sequence </ as <\/ in style element content.
- Record
DEBIAN-CVE-2023-36823- CVSS 3.1
- 6.1 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-f5ww-cq3m-q3g7
7.1
Sanitize vulnerable to Cross-site Scripting via insufficient neutralization of `style` element content
Impact
Using carefully crafted input, an attacker may be able to sneak arbitrary HTML and CSS through Sanitize >= 3.0.0, < 6.0.2 when Sanitize is configured to use the built-in "relaxed" config or when using a custom config that allows style elements and one or more CSS at-rules. This could result in XSS (cross-site scripting) or other undesired behavior when the malicious HTML and CSS are rendered in a browser.
Patches
Sanitize >= 6.0.2 performs additional escaping of CSS in style element content, which fixes this issue.
Workarounds
Users who are unable to upgrade can prevent this issue by using a Sanitize config that doesn't allow style elements, using a Sanitize config that doesn't allow CSS at-rules, or by manually escaping the character sequence </ as <\/ in style element content.
Credit
This issue was found by @cure53 during an audit of a project that uses Sanitize and was reported by one of that project's maintainers. Thank you!
- Record
GHSA-f5ww-cq3m-q3g7- CVSS 3.1
- 7.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L - Weakness
- CWE-79
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUBUNTU-CVE-2023-36823
6.1
Sanitize is an allowlist-based HTML and CSS sanitizer. Using carefully crafted input, an attacker may be able to sneak arbitrary HTML and CSS through Sanitize starting with version 3.0.0 and prior to version 6.0.2 when Sanitize is configured to use the built-in "relaxed" config or when using a custom config that allows style elements and one or more CSS at-rules. This could result in cross-site scripting or other undesired behavior when the malicious HTML and CSS are rendered in a browser. Sanitize 6.0.2 performs additional escaping of CSS in style element content, which fixes this issue. Users who are unable to upgrade can prevent this issue by using a Sanitize config that doesn't allow style elements, using a Sanitize config that doesn't allow CSS at-rules, or by manually escaping the character sequence </ as <\/ in style element content.
- Record
UBUNTU-CVE-2023-36823- CVSS 3.1
- 6.1 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N - CVSS 3.1
- 7.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUSN-6748-1 No score
ruby-sanitize vulnerabilities
It was discovered that Sanitize incorrectly handled noscript elements under certain circumstances. An attacker could possibly use this issue to execute a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack. This issue only affected Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. (CVE-2023-23627)
It was discovered that Sanitize incorrectly handled style elements under certain circumstances. An attacker could possibly use this issue to execute a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack. (CVE-2023-36823)
- Record
USN-6748-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
sanitizeRubyGems |
3.0.0 up to 6.0.2 | 6.0.2 |
ruby-sanitizeDebian:12 |
before 6.0.0-1.1+deb12u1, plus listed versions 6.0.0-1.1 |
6.0.0-1.1+deb12u1 |
ruby-sanitizeDebian:13 |
before 6.0.2-1 | 6.0.2-1 |
ruby-sanitizeDebian:14 |
before 6.0.2-1 | 6.0.2-1 |
ruby-sanitizeDebian:10 |
before 4.6.6-2.1~deb10u2, plus listed versions 4.6.6-24.6.6-2.1~deb10u1 |
4.6.6-2.1~deb10u2 |
ruby-sanitizeDebian:11 |
before 5.2.1-2+deb11u1, plus listed versions 5.2.1-2 |
5.2.1-2+deb11u1 |
sanitizeRubyGems |
3.0.0 up to 6.0.2, plus listed versions 3.0.13.0.23.0.33.0.43.1.0 Show 24 moreShow less3.1.13.1.24.0.04.0.14.1.04.2.04.3.04.4.04.5.04.6.04.6.14.6.24.6.34.6.44.6.54.6.65.0.05.1.05.2.05.2.15.2.25.2.36.0.06.0.1 |
6.0.2 |
ruby-sanitizeUbuntu:20.04:LTS |
before 4.6.6-2.1~0.20.04.2, plus listed versions 4.6.6-24.6.6-2.1~0.20.04.1 |
4.6.6-2.1~0.20.04.2 |
ruby-sanitizeUbuntu:22.04:LTS |
before 6.0.0-1ubuntu0.1, plus listed versions 5.2.1-25.2.3-16.0.0-1 |
6.0.0-1ubuntu0.1 |
ruby-sanitizeUbuntu:20.04:LTS From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 4.6.6-2.1~0.20.04.2, plus listed versions 4.6.6-24.6.6-2.1~0.20.04.1 |
4.6.6-2.1~0.20.04.2 |
ruby-sanitizeUbuntu:22.04:LTS From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 6.0.0-1ubuntu0.1, plus listed versions 5.2.1-25.2.3-16.0.0-1 |
6.0.0-1ubuntu0.1 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| affected, facts | ||
| aliases, published | EUVD | |
| first indexed | CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2023-36823 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.1) in Rgrove Sanitize, published July 6, 2023. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.71%, the 53rd percentile. Fixed in sanitize 6.0.2.
References
github.com/rgrove/sanitize/security/advisories/GHSA-f5ww-cq3m-q3g7
github.com/rgrove/sanitize/commit/76ed46e6dc70820f38efe27de8dabd54dddb5220
github.com/rgrove/sanitize/releases/tag/v6.0.2
lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/11/msg00008.html
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-36823
github.com/rubysec/ruby-advisory-db/blob/master/gems/sanitize/CVE-2023-36823.yml
Show 8 moreShow less
github.com/advisories/GHSA-f5ww-cq3m-q3g7
github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/tree/main/cves/2023/36xxx/CVE-2023-36823.json
security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2023-36823
github.com/rgrove/sanitize
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2023-36823
cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-36823
ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-6748-1
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2023-23627