CVE-2026-65911: In DOMPurify through 3.3.3, function predicates supplied via ADD_ATTR or ADD_TAGS to DOMPurify.sanitize() persist in internal state (EXTRA_ELEMENT

In DOMPurify through 3.3.3, function predicates supplied via ADD_ATTR or ADD_TAGS to DOMPurify.sanitize() persist in internal state (EXTRA_ELEMENT_HANDLING) acr

In DOMPurify through 3.3.3, function predicates supplied via ADD_ATTR or ADD_TAGS to DOMPurify.sanitize() persist in internal state (EXTRA_ELEMENT_HANDLING) across subsequent sanitize() calls on the same instance. If a later call on the same instance provides ADD_ATTR or ADD_TAGS as an array rather than a function, the previously set function handler is neither cleared nor overwritten, so it continues to approve attacker-controlled attributes or tags. This can allow dangerous event-handler attributes or forbidden tags (bypassing FORBID_TAGS) to survive sanitization, resulting in cross-site scripting. The vendor (Cure53) considers this an edge case outside DOMPurify's threat model; the referenced advisory lists 3.4.0 as the patched version.

Description from the National Vulnerability Database, published by VulnCheck

What it means for a small business

If your business uses DOMPurify, install the vendor's update. If you're not sure whether you use it, ask whoever manages your computers.

How likely is an attack? The Exploit Prediction Scoring System, run by FIRST (the global association of security response teams), puts the odds of this one being exploited in the next 30 days at 0.33%, higher than 26% of CVEs. That’s low, but low isn’t zero, and the odds jump the day someone publishes an exploit. Scored October 28, 2026, updated daily.

Check your own setup

Website check: reads what your site runs from the outside (WordPress version, plugins it can see, old server software) and matches it against this database.
Server check: what your web server says about itself, and whether that version has known flaws.

Sources

Part of the Huttenlocher Technologies vulnerability database, refreshed twice a day from CISA and the NVD. The title, category and plain-language guidance are ours; check the linked record before acting on a detail. This is general guidance, not a review of your systems.

Weekly security brief

The flaws that hit local websites, every Friday.

One short email: what got exploited this week, which WordPress plugins broke, and what to check. Unsubscribe in one click.