Detect cross-site scripting (XSS) before merge.

See how cross-site scripting (XSS) fits local review, which evidence Code Radar produces, where coverage ends, and how trusted findings move into CI.

radar scan . --quick

What cross-site scripting (XSS) means here.

The cross-site scripting (XSS) rule identifies review patterns that can create exploitable behavior or hide material maintenance risk, then returns the affected location, severity, confidence, and remediation context.

Evidence to inspect

Verify the input scope, finding detail, workflow handoff, and product boundary before you install or buy.

CriterionEvidence to inspectBoundary
Input scopeSelected files, configuration, scan mode, and enabled rules.Only included paths and configured checks are evaluated.
Finding detailFile, line, rule ID, severity, explanation, and repair direction.Illustrative output is not a result from your repository.
Workflow handoffLocal result, report format, agent context, and optional CI signal.Enable exports or CI only when the workflow needs them.
Decision fitUse the same criteria on a real repository before choosing a plan or tool.No universal winner or guaranteed outcome is claimed.

Check this risk locally

Verify the input scope, finding detail, workflow handoff, and product boundary before you install or buy.

The problem this page helps clarify

The useful question is where cross-site scripting (XSS) changes the review loop: what enters the scan, who acts on a finding, and which evidence moves forward. Detect untrusted data reaching HTML sinks and the safer text-rendering alternative.

  • Audience: Developers and reviewers deciding how to handle cross-site scripting (XSS) findings before merge.
  • Focus: Detect untrusted data reaching HTML sinks and the safer text-rendering alternative.
  • Review question: What does cross-site scripting (XSS) cover in practice?

Coverage and concrete signals

For cross-site scripting (XSS), inspect the concrete scope below instead of relying on a category label. Trace the value into an HTML sink, confirm the rendering context, and compare the escaping or text-rendering fix with the unsafe example.

  • Focus: Detect untrusted data reaching HTML sinks and the safer text-rendering alternative.
  • Workflow: Rule ID: RADAR-SEC-XSS
  • Coverage and concrete signals: RADAR-SEC-XSS, unsafe pattern, safer pattern, Source security
FocusExact file location, rule context, severity, confidence, and remediation guidance.Boundary
Detect untrusted data reaching HTML sinks and the safer text-rendering alternative.Trace the value into an HTML sink, confirm the rendering context, and compare the escaping or text-rendering fix with the unsafe example.False positives are possible when a trusted sanitizer or framework encoder is proven at the sink; verify that boundary, then test the browser behavior after replacing the sink.

Risky pattern / Safer pattern

cross-site scripting (XSS): A useful result must be explainable to a developer and portable to the next review surface. Inspect the concrete evidence below before changing team policy.

Risky patternSafer pattern
element.innerHTML = userInput;element.textContent = userInput;

From local signal to shared gate.

cross-site scripting (XSS): Use the smallest workflow that proves value. Each later step should reuse evidence the team already understands. Detect untrusted data reaching HTML sinks and the safer text-rendering alternative.

StepCommand or actionDecision
1Run a quick local scanIs the signal useful?
2Inspect and repair findingsIs the fix specific and reproducible?
3Export portable evidenceDoes the reviewer need SARIF, JSON, or HTML?
4Promote the trusted threshold to CIWhich severity should block a pull request?
radar scan . --quick
radar scan . --format sarif --fail-on high

Evidence to inspect before you trust the result.

cross-site scripting (XSS): A useful result must be explainable to a developer and portable to the next review surface. Inspect the concrete evidence below before changing team policy. Trace the value into an HTML sink, confirm the rendering context, and compare the escaping or text-rendering fix with the unsafe example.

  • Rule ID: RADAR-SEC-XSS
  • Exact file location, rule context, severity, confidence, and remediation guidance.
  • Terminal output, SARIF, JSON, or HTML artifacts generated from the same finding set.
  • Source stays in the workspace or CI runner where the scan executes.

Good fit and limits

Use cross-site scripting (XSS) when Developers and reviewers deciding how to handle cross-site scripting (XSS) findings before merge. Keep the boundary explicit: False positives are possible when a trusted sanitizer or framework encoder is proven at the sink; verify that boundary, then test the browser behavior after replacing the sink.

Run the local proof before adopting a shared gate.

  • Good fit: Developers and reviewers deciding how to handle cross-site scripting (XSS) findings before merge.
  • Not a fit / do not overreach: False positives are possible when a trusted sanitizer or framework encoder is proven at the sink; verify that boundary, then test the browser behavior after replacing the sink.

Questions to verify before rollout

These questions keep the decision tied to observable evidence rather than a broad product promise.

What does cross-site scripting (XSS) cover in practice?

cross-site scripting (XSS): The practical scope is Detect untrusted data reaching HTML sinks and the safer text-rendering alternative.. Start with the listed entities or files and confirm the result on representative code.

Which evidence should I inspect for cross-site scripting (XSS)?

cross-site scripting (XSS): Inspect Trace the value into an HTML sink, confirm the rendering context, and compare the escaping or text-rendering fix with the unsafe example. Keep the source location, rule or comparison context, and exported artifact together.

What should I not infer from cross-site scripting (XSS)?

cross-site scripting (XSS): Do not infer universal coverage. False positives are possible when a trusted sanitizer or framework encoder is proven at the sink; verify that boundary, then test the browser behavior after replacing the sink. Use the relevant comparison or workflow page to test the boundary before changing policy.

What should I try first for cross-site scripting (XSS)?

cross-site scripting (XSS): Start with a local run, review one real finding, then choose the linked report, agent, CI, or trust workflow that matches the next decision.

Validate the workflow on your own code.

Start with one local scan, inspect the evidence, and expand to reports, agents, or CI only when the signal is useful.