CVE-2019-19708 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2019-19708 affecting VisualEditor extension in MediaWiki, allowing XSS attacks via specific attributes. Find mitigation steps and prevention measures.
The VisualEditor extension for MediaWiki, up to version 1.34, is vulnerable to XSS attacks when pasted content contains an element that includes a data-ve-clipboard-key attribute.
Understanding CVE-2019-19708
The VisualEditor extension for MediaWiki is susceptible to cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks due to a specific attribute in pasted content.
What is CVE-2019-19708?
The vulnerability in the VisualEditor extension for MediaWiki allows attackers to execute XSS attacks by inserting malicious content with a particular attribute.
The Impact of CVE-2019-19708
This vulnerability could be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts within the context of the user's browser, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-19708
The following technical details provide insight into the nature of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The VisualEditor extension up to version 1.34 of MediaWiki is prone to XSS attacks triggered by the presence of a data-ve-clipboard-key attribute in pasted content.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Not applicable
- Vendor: Not applicable
- Versions: All versions up to 1.34 are affected
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited when a user pastes content containing an element with a data-ve-clipboard-key attribute, allowing malicious scripts to be executed.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2019-19708 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Disable the VisualEditor extension if not essential for operations
- Implement input validation to sanitize pasted content
- Monitor and filter user-generated content for malicious scripts
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update MediaWiki and its extensions to the latest secure versions
- Educate users on safe browsing habits and content sharing practices
Patching and Updates
- Apply patches or updates provided by MediaWiki to address the XSS vulnerability