CVE-2020-19156 in ARI Adminer
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2021
Cross Site Scripting (XSS) in Ari Adminer v1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via the 'Title' parameter of the 'Add New Connections' component when the 'save()' function is called.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2021
The vulnerability CVE-2020-19156 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw in Ari Adminer version 1 that enables remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. This vulnerability specifically targets the 'Add New Connections' component within the application's administrative interface, where user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being processed. The flaw occurs when the save() function handles the 'Title' parameter, creating an avenue for attackers to execute arbitrary code on victim systems through web browser exploitation. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the application's insufficient input validation mechanisms within the administrative interface. When administrators or users interact with the 'Add New Connections' form and submit a title containing malicious script code, the system fails to properly encode or sanitize this input before storing or rendering it. The save() function processes the title parameter without adequate protection against script injection, allowing attackers to craft payloads that can execute in the context of other users' browsers. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the administrative component of the application, potentially providing attackers with elevated privileges or access to sensitive functionality. The attack vector is classified as a reflected XSS vulnerability since the malicious script is executed when the page containing the tainted input is rendered, making it a persistent threat that can affect multiple users.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-19156 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to complete compromise of user sessions and potential privilege escalation within the application. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The administrative nature of the affected component increases the risk significantly, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to modify database connections, access sensitive data, or potentially gain deeper system access. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, and T1566 for Phishing, as it enables attackers to deliver malicious payloads through compromised administrative interfaces. The potential for privilege escalation makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations that rely on database administration tools for critical operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-19156 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Ari Adminer version 1, as this represents the most effective defense against exploitation. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing or rendering. The security controls should include proper HTML encoding of all dynamic content, implementation of Content Security Policy headers, and regular security audits of web application interfaces. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, while establishing robust monitoring protocols to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and reinforces the need for defense-in-depth strategies that combine multiple security controls to protect against cross site scripting attacks. Regular security training for administrators and developers is essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom applications and ensure proper secure coding practices are maintained throughout the development lifecycle.