CVE-2026-106161 in Kendo UI for jQuery
Summary
by MITRE • 10/15/2026
In Progress® Kendo® UI for jQuery releases starting with v2020.1.114 and prior to 2026.3.1015, the Badge text method renders string values as raw HTML without encoding, including values supplied through text binding. An attacker who can modify data bound to a Badge can supply HTML containing event handlers that execute JavaScript in a user's browser when the Badge renders the value. Successful exploitation can compromise the confidentiality and integrity of data accessible to the affected application. This issue is fixed in version 2026.3.1015.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2026
The vulnerability identified in Progress Kendo UI for jQuery versions starting with v2020.1.114 and prior to 2026.3.1015 represents a critical server-side input validation failure that manifests as client-side code injection. This flaw is rooted in the improper neutralization of special elements within user-supplied data, specifically when rendering text content for Badge components. The core technical deficiency lies in the behavior of the text method, which accepts string values and injects them directly into the Document Object Model without applying necessary HTML encoding or sanitization protocols. Consequently, any dynamic data bound to a Badge element is treated as executable markup rather than plain text, creating an avenue for Cross-Site Scripting attacks. This design oversight violates fundamental security principles regarding the separation of code and data, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript payloads that are executed in the context of the victim's browser session.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, known as Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation commonly referred to as Cross-Site Scripting or XSS. The specific variant is typically categorized under Stored or Reflected XSS depending on whether the malicious payload is persisted in backend storage or transmitted via request parameters before being rendered by the Badge component. In terms of offensive security frameworks, this exploitation technique maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK tactic T1059, specifically sub-technique 007 which covers JavaScript execution within web browsers. The attacker leverages standard HTML event handlers such as onerror or onload embedded within injected tags to trigger the malicious script upon rendering. This approach bypasses many traditional content security policies if they are not strictly configured to prevent inline script execution, highlighting a significant gap in defensive posture for applications relying heavily on dynamic data binding without adequate output encoding safeguards.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it enables an attacker who can modify the data bound to a Badge component to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the victim's browser environment. This capability allows for comprehensive compromise of application security boundaries. Attackers can steal sensitive session cookies or authentication tokens, facilitating account takeover and unauthorized access to restricted areas of the application. Furthermore, the ability to inject scripts permits phishing attacks where fake login forms are rendered over legitimate interfaces to harvest credentials. The integrity of data accessible to the affected application is also at risk, as injected scripts can manipulate DOM elements to alter displayed information or redirect users to malicious external sites designed for credential harvesting or malware distribution. This undermines user trust and exposes organizations to significant regulatory compliance risks related to data protection standards such as GDPR or HIPAA if personal identifiable information is compromised through these injection vectors.
Mitigation strategies must focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary solution provided by the vendor is upgrading to version 2026.3.1015 or later, where this rendering behavior has been corrected to properly encode output before insertion into the DOM. For applications unable to upgrade immediately due to dependency constraints, developers should implement manual HTML encoding for all dynamic data passed to Badge components using established libraries such as OWASP Java Encoder or equivalent frameworks in other languages. Additionally, implementing a strict Content Security Policy with directives that disable inline scripts can significantly reduce the impact of successful exploitation by preventing the execution of injected event handlers even if they are rendered into the page. Regular security code reviews should be conducted to identify similar patterns where user input is bound directly to UI components without sanitization, ensuring that all dynamic content generation adheres to secure coding standards and prevents future instances of this class of vulnerability.