CVE-2020-19293 in Jeesns
Summary
by MITRE • 09/10/2021
A stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the /article/add component of Jeesns 1.4.2 allows attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML via a crafted payload in a posted article.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2021
The stored cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-19293 resides within the article submission functionality of Jeesns version 1.4.2, representing a critical security flaw that enables persistent malicious code execution. This vulnerability specifically affects the /article/add component where user input is processed and stored without adequate sanitization or validation measures. The flaw permits attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's database and are subsequently executed whenever affected pages are accessed by other users. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the content management system's article creation interface, creating an attack vector where malicious payloads can be stored and later triggered during normal user interactions with the platform.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting malicious payloads that leverage the application's failure to properly sanitize user-submitted content. When an attacker submits an article containing malicious JavaScript code within the article content or associated fields, the application stores this data without adequate filtering mechanisms. The stored content is then rendered to other users who visit pages containing the malicious article, causing the injected scripts to execute in their browsers. This persistent nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious code remains active until manually removed from the database, potentially affecting all users who access the compromised content. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate fundamental web security principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to user sessions and potential privilege escalation opportunities. Once an attacker successfully injects malicious code, they can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, perform actions on behalf of users, or even escalate privileges within the application. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the attack can persist for extended periods, potentially affecting thousands of users over time. This vulnerability also represents a significant risk to the application's integrity and user trust, as it enables attackers to compromise the application's security posture and potentially access sensitive user data or manipulate content. The impact is particularly severe in multi-user environments where administrators or regular users may be exposed to the malicious content without proper security awareness.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-19293 require immediate implementation of comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's content handling processes. Organizations should implement strict sanitization of all user inputs, particularly those submitted through the article creation component, using established libraries and frameworks designed to prevent XSS attacks. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers should be enforced to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application. Additionally, developers should adopt secure coding practices that align with OWASP Top Ten recommendations and ATT&CK framework mitigations for web application vulnerabilities, particularly focusing on input validation, output encoding, and session management controls. The affected Jeesns version should be upgraded to a patched release immediately, as this vulnerability represents a critical threat that can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise.