CVE-2019-13646 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Firefly III before version 4.7.17.3 is susceptible to a reflected XSS vulnerability due to inadequate filtration of user-supplied data in search queries. This CVE was published on July 18, 2019.

Understanding CVE-2019-13646

This CVE involves a security issue in Firefly III that could be exploited by attackers to conduct reflected XSS attacks.

What is CVE-2019-13646?

The vulnerability in Firefly III before version 4.7.17.3 allows for reflected XSS attacks, as the search query does not properly filter user-supplied data. Attackers with the same access rights as the user can exploit this flaw.

The Impact of CVE-2019-13646

The vulnerability could lead to attackers executing malicious scripts in the context of a user's session, potentially compromising sensitive data or performing unauthorized actions.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-13646

Firefly III CVE-2019-13646 has the following technical details:

Vulnerability Description

Reflected XSS vulnerability in Firefly III before version 4.7.17.3
Lack of proper filtration of user-supplied data in search queries

Affected Systems and Versions

Firefly III versions prior to 4.7.17.3

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers need the same access rights as the user to exploit the vulnerability

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2019-13646.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Firefly III to version 4.7.17.3 or later to mitigate the vulnerability
Regularly monitor for security advisories and updates from Firefly III

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks
Educate users on safe browsing practices and the importance of avoiding suspicious links

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates promptly to ensure the latest security fixes are in place