CVE-2019-16988 : Security Advisory and Response

FusionPBX version 4.5.7 and below are vulnerable to a cross-site scripting (XSS) issue due to improper sanitization of the 'eavesdrop_dest' variable in the file content.php.

Understanding CVE-2019-16988

This CVE entry highlights a security vulnerability in FusionPBX versions up to 4.5.7 that could be exploited for XSS attacks.

What is CVE-2019-16988?

The 'eavesdrop_dest' variable in FusionPBX's content.php file is not sanitized correctly, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts into the HTML code.

The Impact of CVE-2019-16988

The XSS vulnerability in FusionPBX could lead to unauthorized access, data theft, and potential compromise of user information.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-16988

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The 'eavesdrop_dest' variable, sourced from the URL, is reflected in multiple locations within the HTML code, creating an XSS risk.

Affected Systems and Versions

FusionPBX versions 4.5.7 and below

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can craft URLs with malicious scripts to exploit the unsanitized 'eavesdrop_dest' variable.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-16988 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the patch provided by FusionPBX to address the XSS vulnerability.
Educate users about the risks of clicking on untrusted links.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update FusionPBX to the latest version to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Implement input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches released by FusionPBX to safeguard against potential exploits.