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CVE-2020-5529

Code execution vulnerability in HtmlUnit

8.1 HighFix available

HtmlUnit prior to 2.37.0 contains code execution vulnerabilities. HtmlUnit initializes Rhino engine improperly, hence a malicious JavScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application. Moreover, when embedded in Android application, Android-specific initialization of Rhino engine is done in an improper way, hence a malicious JavaScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application.

Attack profile

How easy it is to exploit

Attack vector
Network
Complexity
High
Privileges needed
None
User interaction
None

What an attacker can affect

Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

Exploit likelihood

4.72%Up 2.5 points since Apr 14, 2021
90%50%10%1%

What each source reports

NVD Score used 8.1

HtmlUnit prior to 2.37.0 contains code execution vulnerabilities. HtmlUnit initializes Rhino engine improperly, hence a malicious JavScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application. Moreover, when embedded in Android application, Android-specific initialization of Rhino engine is done in an improper way, hence a malicious JavaScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application.

Record
CVE-2020-5529
CVSS 3.1
8.1 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS 2.0
6.8 MediumAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
Weakness
CWE-665, CWE-94
Updated
2026-11-02
CVE List 8.1

HtmlUnit prior to 2.37.0 contains code execution vulnerabilities. HtmlUnit initializes Rhino engine improperly, hence a malicious JavScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application. Moreover, when embedded in Android application, Android-specific initialization of Rhino engine is done in an improper way, hence a malicious JavaScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application.

Record
CVE-2020-5529
CVSS 3.1
8.1 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness
CWE-94
Updated
2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2020-0412 8.1

HtmlUnit prior to 2.37.0 contains code execution vulnerabilities. HtmlUnit initializes Rhino engine improperly, hence a malicious JavScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application. Moreover, when embedded in Android application, Android-specific initialization of Rhino engine is done in an improper way, hence a malicious JavaScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application.

Record
EUVD-2020-0412
CVSS 3.1
8.1 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Updated
2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-5mh9-r3rr-9597 8.1

Code execution vulnerability in HtmlUnit

HtmlUnit prior to 2.37.0 contains code execution vulnerabilities. HtmlUnit initializes Rhino engine improperly, hence a malicious JavScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application. Moreover, when embedded in Android application, Android-specific initialization of Rhino engine is done in an improper way, hence a malicious JavaScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application.

Record
GHSA-5mh9-r3rr-9597
CVSS 3.1
8.1 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness
CWE-94, CWE-665
Updated
2026-11-02
OSV 8.1

HtmlUnit prior to 2.37.0 contains code execution vulnerabilities. HtmlUnit initializes Rhino engine improperly, hence a malicious JavScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application. Moreover, when embedded in Android application, Android-specific initialization of Rhino engine is done in an improper way, hence a malicious JavaScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application.

Record
CVE-2020-5529
CVSS 3.1
8.1 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-5mh9-r3rr-9597 8.1

Code execution vulnerability in HtmlUnit

HtmlUnit prior to 2.37.0 contains code execution vulnerabilities. HtmlUnit initializes Rhino engine improperly, hence a malicious JavScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application. Moreover, when embedded in Android application, Android-specific initialization of Rhino engine is done in an improper way, hence a malicious JavaScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application.

Record
GHSA-5mh9-r3rr-9597
CVSS 3.1
8.1 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness
CWE-665, CWE-94
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVUBUNTU-CVE-2020-5529 8.1

HtmlUnit prior to 2.37.0 contains code execution vulnerabilities. HtmlUnit initializes Rhino engine improperly, hence a malicious JavScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application. Moreover, when embedded in Android application, Android-specific initialization of Rhino engine is done in an improper way, hence a malicious JavaScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application.

Record
UBUNTU-CVE-2020-5529
CVSS 3.1
8.1 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVMGASA-2021-0148 No score

Updated htmlunit packages fix security vulnerability

It was discovered that HtmlUnit incorrectly initialized Rhino engine. An Attacker could possibly use this issue to execute arbitrary Java code (CVE-2020-5529).

Record
MGASA-2021-0148
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVUSN-4584-1 No score

htmlunit vulnerability

It was discovered that HtmlUnit incorrectly initialized Rhino engine. An Attacker could possibly use this issue to execute arbitrary Java code.

Record
USN-4584-1
Updated
2026-11-02

Affected products

Affected packages

Affected packages
PackageAffectedFixed
net.sourceforge.htmlunit:htmlunit
Maven
before 2.37.0
2.37.0
htmlunit
Debian:9
before 2.8-2+deb9u1, plus listed versions
2.8-2
2.8-2+deb9u1
net.sourceforge.htmlunit:htmlunit
Maven
before 2.37.0, plus listed versions
1.142.02.12.1.52.10
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2.112.122.132.142.152.162.172.182.192.22.202.212.222.232.242.252.262.272.282.292.32.302.312.322.332.34.02.34.12.35.02.36.02.42.52.62.72.82.9
2.37.0
htmlunit
Mageia:7
before 2.23-2.1.mga7
2.23-2.1.mga7
htmlunit
Ubuntu:16.04:LTS
before 2.8-1ubuntu2.1, plus listed versions
2.8-1ubuntu2
2.8-1ubuntu2.1
htmlunit
Ubuntu:Pro:18.04:LTS
All versions, plus listed versions
2.8-2ubuntu12.8-3ubuntu12.8-3ubuntu1+esm1
None known

History

History
RecordedChangedSources
aliasesEUVD
first indexedCVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV

Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.

In short

CVE-2020-5529 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 8.1) in Htmlunit, published February 11, 2020. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 4.72%, the 91st percentile. Fixed in net.sourceforge.htmlunit:htmlunit 2.37.0.

References

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