CVE-2019-14961 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

JetBrains Upsource before version 2019.1.1412 is vulnerable to cross-site scripting (XSS) due to inadequate handling of HTML tags within code block comments.

Understanding CVE-2019-14961

This CVE identifies a security vulnerability in JetBrains Upsource that could allow an attacker to execute malicious scripts in the context of a user's browser.

What is CVE-2019-14961?

Prior to version 2019.1.1412, JetBrains Upsource did not properly escape HTML tags in code block comments, potentially enabling an XSS attack.

The Impact of CVE-2019-14961

The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to inject and execute arbitrary scripts in the browser of a user viewing the affected code.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-14961

JetBrains Upsource's vulnerability is detailed below:

Vulnerability Description

Before version 2019.1.1412, JetBrains Upsource did not adequately handle HTML tags within code block comments, leading to a potential XSS risk.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: JetBrains Upsource
Versions affected: Before 2019.1.1412

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows attackers to insert malicious scripts into code block comments, which can then be executed in the context of a user's browser.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-14961, follow these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade JetBrains Upsource to version 2019.1.1412 or later.
Educate users on safe coding practices to prevent XSS vulnerabilities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to mitigate potential security risks.
Implement input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks.
Conduct security audits and code reviews to identify and address vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates to protect against known vulnerabilities.