CVE-2019-13068 in Grafana
Summary
by MITRE
public/app/features/panel/panel_ctrl.ts in Grafana before 6.2.5 allows HTML Injection in panel drilldown links (via the Title or url field).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-13068 represents a critical HTML injection flaw within the Grafana monitoring platform that affects versions prior to 6.2.5. This security issue resides in the panel control functionality where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in drilldown links. The vulnerability specifically impacts the Title or URL fields of panel configurations, allowing attackers to inject malicious HTML content that gets executed in the context of the victim's browser session. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate how panel drilldown links appear and behave, potentially leading to cross-site scripting attacks that can compromise user sessions and exfiltrate sensitive data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the panel control module of Grafana's frontend application. When administrators or users configure panel drilldown links, the application fails to properly escape or filter HTML characters from the Title and URL fields, creating an avenue for malicious code injection. This issue aligns with CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically targeting cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including crafted panel configurations, malicious dashboard sharing, or compromised user accounts that can modify panel settings.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-13068 extends beyond simple HTML injection as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the victim's browser context. This can result in session hijacking, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within the organization's monitoring infrastructure. Attackers could craft malicious drilldown links that redirect users to phishing sites, steal authentication cookies, or inject malicious scripts that persist across dashboard sessions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Grafana dashboards are shared among multiple users and administrators, as a single compromised panel configuration can affect numerous users. The risk is amplified when considering that Grafana is commonly used for monitoring critical infrastructure, making this vulnerability a prime target for attackers seeking to gain insights into sensitive system information.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Grafana version 6.2.5 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as the patch addresses the root cause by implementing proper input sanitization and HTML escaping mechanisms. Additionally, administrators should implement strict access controls and review existing panel configurations to identify any potentially compromised drilldown links. The mitigation strategy should include regular security auditing of dashboard configurations and user permissions, as well as monitoring for suspicious panel modifications. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers command and scripting interpreter for JavaScript. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection against similar injection attacks that could exploit other components of the Grafana platform.