CVE-2019-16751 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2019-16751, a vulnerability in Devise Token Auth versions up to 1.1.2 allowing XSS attacks. Find mitigation steps and prevention measures here.
A vulnerability in Devise Token Auth versions up to 1.1.2 exposes the omniauth failure endpoint to Reflected Cross Site Scripting (XSS) attacks, allowing unauthorized attackers to execute harmful JavaScript payloads.
Understanding CVE-2019-16751
This CVE identifies a security flaw in Devise Token Auth that enables XSS attacks through crafted URLs.
What is CVE-2019-16751?
Devise Token Auth up to version 1.1.2 is susceptible to Reflected Cross Site Scripting (XSS) attacks via the omniauth failure endpoint, enabling attackers to execute malicious JavaScript in a victim's browser.
The Impact of CVE-2019-16751
The vulnerability allows unauthorized individuals to trigger the execution of harmful JavaScript payloads in the target's web browser, compromising user security.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-16751
Devise Token Auth's vulnerability to XSS attacks can have severe consequences.
Vulnerability Description
The omniauth failure endpoint in Devise Token Auth versions up to 1.1.2 is exposed to Reflected Cross Site Scripting (XSS) attacks through the message parameter, enabling attackers to execute malicious scripts.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Devise Token Auth
- Vendor: N/A
- Versions affected: Up to 1.1.2
Exploitation Mechanism
Unauthorized attackers can exploit the vulnerability by crafting URLs that trigger the execution of harmful JavaScript payloads in the victim's web browser, impacting the fallback_render function in the omniauth callbacks controller.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2019-16751 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update Devise Token Auth to a patched version that addresses the XSS vulnerability.
- Implement input validation to prevent malicious scripts from being executed.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Conduct regular security audits to identify and address vulnerabilities.
- Educate developers on secure coding practices to prevent XSS attacks.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that all systems running Devise Token Auth are regularly updated with the latest security patches to mitigate the risk of XSS attacks.