CVE-2018-20866 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE involves a Stored XSS vulnerability in the WHM "Reset a DNS Zone" feature in cPanel versions prior to 76.0.8.

Understanding CVE-2018-20866

This vulnerability allows for Cross-Site Scripting attacks through the WHM feature.

What is CVE-2018-20866?

The WHM "Reset a DNS Zone" feature in cPanel versions before 76.0.8 is susceptible to Stored XSS (Cross-Site Scripting) attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2018-20866

The vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by users, potentially leading to unauthorized actions.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-20866

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability exists in the WHM "Reset a DNS Zone" feature in cPanel versions earlier than 76.0.8, allowing for Stored XSS attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: cPanel
Vendor: cPanel
Versions Affected: Versions prior to 76.0.8

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts into the DNS Zone reset feature, which can then be executed when accessed by users.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address and prevent exploitation of this vulnerability, follow these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade cPanel to version 76.0.8 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Regularly monitor and audit DNS configurations for any unauthorized changes.

Long-Term Security Practices

Educate users on the risks of clicking on suspicious links or executing unknown scripts.
Implement web application firewalls to filter and block malicious traffic.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by cPanel and apply them promptly to ensure system security.