GHSA-cf4q-4cqr-7g7w — xml2rfc
GHSA-cf4q-4cqr-7g7w is a security vulnerability in xml2rfc. A fix is available for xml2rfc — see the affected versions and patch details below.
SVG with embedded scripts can lead to cross-site scripting attacks in xml2rfc
Real-World Exposure
xml2rfcReal-time download stats are indexed for npm and PyPI packages. This vulnerability affects PyPI packages — download data is not available via public APIs for these ecosystems.
Description
xml2rfc allows script elements in SVG sources.
In HTML output having these script elements can lead to XSS attacks.
Sample XML snippet:
<artwork type="svg" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg viewBox='0 0 10 10' xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%3E%3Cscript%3E window.alert('Test Alert'); %3C/script%3E%3C/svg%3E">
</artwork>
Impact
This vulnerability impacts website that publish HTML drafts and RFCs.
Patches
This has been fixed in version 3.12.4.
Workarounds
If SVG source is self-contained within the XML, scraping script elements from SVG files.
References
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:
- Open an issue in xml2rfc
- Email us at [email protected]
- Infrastructure and Services Vulnerability Disclosure
Affected Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🐍PyPI | xml2rfc | all versions | 3.12.4pip install --upgrade 'xml2rfc==3.12.4' |
Detection & mitigation playbook
Open-source dependencyDetect
Scan your dependency tree (package-lock.json, pnpm-lock.yaml, requirements.txt, go.sum, etc.) for xml2rfc, including transitive dependencies — a direct dependency you never call can still pull in a vulnerable version.
Fix
Update xml2rfc to 3.12.4 or later, then make sure no transitive (indirect) dependency still pins the vulnerable range — O3 confirms GHSA-cf4q-4cqr-7g7w is resolved across your whole dependency graph.
Workarounds
If you can't upgrade right away: gate or disable the affected feature, validate untrusted input at the boundary, and avoid passing attacker-controlled data into the vulnerable path. O3's runtime protection blocks exploitation in production as an interim safeguard until the upgrade lands.
How O3 protects you
O3 Security's impact-aware SCA analyses which vulnerable code paths your application actually calls, so a match like GHSA-cf4q-4cqr-7g7w can be triaged on real exposure rather than presence alone.
Tailored to GHSA-cf4q-4cqr-7g7w. Runtime protection reduces exposure until a permanent patch is applied and verified — it complements patching, it doesn't replace it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GHSA-cf4q-4cqr-7g7w in your dependencies?
O3 Security finds GHSA-cf4q-4cqr-7g7w across PyPI dependencies, including transitive ones, and its impact-aware SCA ranks findings by whether your code actually calls the vulnerable path.