CVE-2017-11481 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Kibana versions before 6.0.1 and 5.6.5 had a security vulnerability allowing cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.

Understanding CVE-2017-11481

Kibana had a vulnerability that could enable unauthorized access to sensitive data or malicious activities.

What is CVE-2017-11481?

The CVE-2017-11481 vulnerability in Kibana versions prior to 6.0.1 and 5.6.5 allowed for cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks through URL fields.

The Impact of CVE-2017-11481

This vulnerability could potentially lead to unauthorized individuals accessing sensitive data or performing malicious actions on behalf of other Kibana users.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-11481

Kibana's vulnerability details and affected systems.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Kibana versions before 6.0.1 and 5.6.5 allowed for cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks via URL fields.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Kibana
Vendor: Elastic
Versions Affected: before 6.0.1 and 5.6.5

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability could be exploited by injecting malicious scripts into URL fields, potentially compromising user data and system integrity.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2017-11481.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Kibana to version 6.0.1 or higher to eliminate the vulnerability.
Regularly monitor and audit URL inputs for any suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement input validation mechanisms to prevent XSS attacks.
Educate users on safe URL handling practices to minimize security risks.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by Elastic to address the vulnerability.