CVE-2011-4969 in integrated Lights Out 3
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in jQuery before 1.6.3, when using location.hash to select elements, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted tag.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4969 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in jQuery versions prior to 1.6.3 that specifically exploits the interaction between the location.hash property and element selection mechanisms. This vulnerability arises from the improper handling of user-supplied input when jQuery processes hash values from the browser location object, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code or HTML content into web applications. The flaw demonstrates a classic XSS attack vector where attacker-controlled data flows directly into DOM manipulation functions without adequate sanitization or escaping mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from jQuery's internal parsing and selection logic when processing location.hash values. When developers utilize jQuery selectors that incorporate hash parameters from the URL, the framework fails to properly sanitize or escape the hash content before incorporating it into DOM operations. This creates an environment where malicious users can craft URLs containing specially formatted hash values that, when processed by vulnerable jQuery versions, execute unintended JavaScript code within the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability specifically affects scenarios where applications rely on location.hash for dynamic content loading or element selection, making it particularly dangerous in single-page applications or web interfaces that utilize hash-based routing mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4969 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, data theft, credential harvesting, and redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability operates at the client-side execution level, meaning that successful exploitation requires only a victim to visit a maliciously crafted URL containing the payload. This makes the attack surface particularly broad since it can affect any web application using vulnerable jQuery versions and implementing hash-based navigation or dynamic content loading. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious links and T1059.001 for command and control execution through injected scripts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of jQuery to version 1.6.3 or later, where the underlying parsing logic has been corrected to properly escape or sanitize hash values before DOM manipulation. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures, particularly for any user-controllable data that might be processed through DOM manipulation functions. Additionally, developers should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of inline scripts and reduce the impact of successful XSS attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly when dealing with URL parameters and browser location properties that can be manipulated by external parties. Security teams should conduct thorough audits of their web applications to identify all instances where jQuery selectors might be processing user-supplied hash values, ensuring that all affected components are updated to prevent exploitation.