CVE-2018-20919 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

cPanel versions prior to 70.0.23 are vulnerable to a stored XSS attack through the WHM Create Account feature (SEC-373).

Understanding CVE-2018-20919

cPanel before 70.0.23 allows stored XSS via a WHM Create Account action (SEC-373).

What is CVE-2018-20919?

This CVE refers to a vulnerability in cPanel versions before 70.0.23 that enables a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attack through the WHM Create Account feature (SEC-373).

The Impact of CVE-2018-20919

The vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute malicious scripts in the context of a user's session, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-20919

Vulnerability Description

Type: Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Attack Vector: WHM Create Account feature
Severity: Medium

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Systems: cPanel versions before 70.0.23
Affected Component: WHM Create Account feature
Vulnerability Identifier: SEC-373

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to inject and store malicious scripts within the cPanel interface, which can then be executed when accessed by other users.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade cPanel to version 70.0.23 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Regularly monitor and audit user-generated content within cPanel to detect and prevent XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement input validation and output encoding to sanitize user inputs and prevent script injection.
Educate users on safe browsing practices and the risks associated with executing untrusted scripts.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by cPanel to address known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.