CVE-2020-19282 in Jeesns
Summary
by MITRE • 09/10/2021
A reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Jeesns 1.4.2 allows attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML via a crafted payload in the system error message's text field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-19282 represents a critical reflected cross-site scripting flaw within the Jeesns content management system version 1.4.2. This vulnerability specifically targets the system's error message handling mechanism where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to the browser. The flaw exists in the text field processing of system error messages, creating an avenue for attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the application's error handling routines, allowing malicious payloads to persist and execute when error messages are displayed to end users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the classic reflected XSS pattern where malicious input is first received by the web application, then reflected back to the user without proper sanitization or encoding. In the context of Jeesns 1.4.2, when system errors occur and their corresponding error messages are displayed, the application fails to properly escape or encode special characters in the text field content. Attackers can craft malicious payloads containing script tags or other executable code that gets embedded into the error message display. When other users view these error messages, their browsers execute the injected scripts, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. This vulnerability is classified as CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly sanitize user input before including it in web page output.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors that compromise user sessions and data integrity. An attacker could craft payloads that steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or inject malicious content that persists in the application's error logs. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that attackers must convince victims to click on a malicious link containing the crafted payload, typically through social engineering or phishing campaigns. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently interact with error messages or where administrators might inadvertently click on malicious links. The vulnerability affects all users of Jeesns 1.4.2 who encounter system error messages, with potential impacts ranging from privacy violations to complete account compromise, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment and T1566.002 - Phishing: Spearphishing Link.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-19282 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's error handling processes. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user-supplied input before displaying it in error messages, particularly by implementing HTML entity encoding for special characters such as <, >, &, ", and '. Additionally, developers should implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution capabilities and prevent unauthorized code injection. The application should also employ proper error handling practices that prevent raw user input from being displayed in error messages, instead using generic error messages that do not contain potentially malicious content. Organizations should also consider implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAF) rules that can detect and block common XSS payload patterns, though this represents a defensive measure rather than a complete fix. The recommended approach aligns with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top 10 2017 - A03:2017 - Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) and follows the remediation guidance provided in CWE-79's mitigation section, emphasizing the importance of both input validation and output encoding as primary defense mechanisms against reflected XSS attacks.