Escape XML markup

reference brazil Updated Sep 10, 2026 1 min read sc-escape-xml.md
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Use the glide.ui.escape_text property to force escape of XML values at the parser level before transmitting them to the client's browser.

Use the glide.ui.escape_text system property to escape XML values at the parser level for the user interface. It prevents reflected and stored cross-site scripting attacks. This property is not applicable in Service Portal.

Cross-site scripting occurs when an attacker injects malicious JavaScript into an entry point. The platform/application fails to escape the malicious JavaScript before transmitting it to the victim's browser for execution. Escaping in this context means the following:

  • & --> &
  • < --> &lt;
  • > --> &gt;
  • " --> &quot;
  • ' --> &#x27;
  • / --> &#x2F;

Example: <script>alert('XSS Attack');</script>

Escaping: &lt;script&gt;alert(&#39;XSS Attack&#39;);&lt;/script&gt;

Ensure the glide.ui.escape_text property exists in the System Properties [sys_properties] table and is set to true.

Warning: This is a safe harbor property, meaning the value can't be altered once it's changed. It is non-revertible.

More information

Attribute

Description

Configuration name

glide.ui.escape_text

Configuration type

System Properties (/sys_properties_list.do)

Data type

Boolean

Recommended value

true

Default value

true

Fallback value

false

Category

Validation, sanitization, and encoding

Security risk

  • Severity score: 8.8
  • CVSS rating: High
  • Security risk details:

If glide.ui.escape_text is not set to the recommended value of true, then XML values will not be escaped at the parser level for the user interface; this will leave jelly templates susceptible to reflected and stored cross site scripting attacks.

Functional impact

None

Dependencies and prerequisites

None

**Parent Topic:**[Validation, sanitization, and encoding](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/brazil/markdown/platform-security/instance-security-hardening-settings/validation-sanitization-encoding.md)
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