CVE-2019-0221 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2019-0221 affecting Apache Tomcat versions 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.0.17, 8.5.0 to 8.5.39, and 7.0.0 to 7.0.93. Understand the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.
Apache Tomcat versions 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.0.17, 8.5.0 to 8.5.39, and 7.0.0 to 7.0.93 are vulnerable to a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack due to a flaw in the SSI printenv command.
Understanding CVE-2019-0221
This CVE entry pertains to a security vulnerability in Apache Tomcat that could potentially lead to XSS attacks.
What is CVE-2019-0221?
The vulnerability in Apache Tomcat versions 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.0.17, 8.5.0 to 8.5.39, and 7.0.0 to 7.0.93 allows user-provided data to be echoed without proper escaping, making it susceptible to XSS attacks. Although SSI is disabled by default, the printenv command, primarily used for debugging, poses a risk if included in a production website.
The Impact of CVE-2019-0221
The vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a user's browser, potentially leading to various attacks such as data theft, session hijacking, and defacement.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-0221
Apache Tomcat's vulnerability to XSS due to the SSI printenv command.
Vulnerability Description
The SSI printenv command in affected Apache Tomcat versions allows unescaped user input, enabling XSS attacks.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.0.17
- Apache Tomcat 8.5.0 to 8.5.39
- Apache Tomcat 7.0.0 to 7.0.93
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts through user-provided data, taking advantage of the printenv command's lack of proper escaping.
Mitigation and Prevention
Steps to address and prevent the CVE-2019-0221 vulnerability.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply security patches provided by Apache to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Disable the printenv command if not required for production use.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update Apache Tomcat to the latest secure versions.
- Implement input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks.
Patching and Updates
Ensure timely installation of security updates and patches released by Apache to address the CVE-2019-0221 vulnerability.