Description
CKEditor4 is an open source what-you-see-is-what-you-get HTML editor. A cross-site scripting vulnerability has been discovered affecting Iframe Dialog and Media Embed packages. The vulnerability may trigger a JavaScript code after fulfilling special conditions: using one of the affected packages on a web page with missing proper Content Security Policy configuration; initializing the editor on an element and using an element other than `<textarea>` as a base; and destroying the editor instance. This vulnerability might affect a small percentage of integrators that depend on dynamic editor initialization/destroy mechanism.
A fix is available in CKEditor4 version 4.21.0. In some rare cases, a security fix may be considered a breaking change. Starting from version 4.21.0, the Iframe Dialog plugin applies the `sandbox` attribute by default, which restricts JavaScript code execution in the iframe element. To change this behavior, configure the `config.iframe_attributes` option. Also starting from version 4.21.0, the Media Embed plugin regenerates the entire content of the embed widget by default. To change this behavior, configure the `config.embed_keepOriginalContent` option. Those who choose to enable either of the more permissive options or who cannot upgrade to a patched version should properly configure Content Security Policy to avoid any potential security issues that may arise from embedding iframe elements on their web page.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| ckeditor | ckeditor4 | < 4.21.0 | — |
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 12 | ckeditor +1 | No fix yet | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | request-tracker4 +1 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 25.10 | request-tracker4 +1 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | ckeditor3 +2 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | ckeditor3 +2 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | ckeditor3 +2 | No fix yet | — |
Show 7 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | ckeditor3 +1 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | request-tracker4 +1 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro 24.04 LTS | ckeditor | 4.22.1+dfsg1-2ubuntu0.24.04.1~esm1 | USN-7258-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 22.04 LTS | ckeditor | 4.16.2+dfsg-1ubuntu0.1~esm1 | USN-7258-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | ckeditor | 4.12.1+dfsg-1ubuntu0.1+esm1 | USN-7258-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 18.04 LTS | ckeditor | 4.5.7+dfsg-2ubuntu0.18.04.1+esm1 | USN-7258-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 18.04 LTS | request-tracker4 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro 16.04 LTS | ckeditor | 4.5.7+dfsg-2ubuntu0.16.04.1~esm2 | USN-7258-1 |
Advisories 6
- USN-7258-1 ckeditor vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Jun 25, 2026
- WID-SEC-2024-3220 Oracle Siebel CRM: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Oct 15, 2024
- WID-SEC-2023-2675 Oracle Financial Services Applications: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Oct 17, 2023
- WID-SEC-2023-1815 Oracle Commerce: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Jul 18, 2023
- WID-SEC-2023-1808 Oracle Financial Services Applications: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Jul 18, 2023
- WID-SEC-2023-1783 Oracle Supply Chain: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Jul 18, 2023
References
- https://github.com/ckeditor/ckeditor4/security/advisories/GHSA-vh5c-xwqv-cv9g
- https://ckeditor.com/cke4/addon/embed
- https://ckeditor.com/cke4/addon/iframe
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/GWKG2VCPJNETVCDTXU4X6FQ2PO6XCNGN/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/VCYKD3JZWWA3ESOZG4PHJJEXT4EYIUIQ/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/L4ODGOW6PYVOXHQSMWJBOCE6DXWAI33W/