CVE-2019-19941 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

The Swisscom Centro Grande router, prior to version 6.16.12, is vulnerable to a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack due to inadequate hostname validation, allowing attackers to insert their local IP address into the router's DNS service.

Understanding CVE-2019-19941

This CVE details a security vulnerability in the Swisscom Centro Grande router that could be exploited by attackers to execute XSS attacks.

What is CVE-2019-19941?

The vulnerability in the Swisscom Centro Grande router allows attackers to manipulate hostnames in DHCP requests, potentially leading to a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack.

The Impact of CVE-2019-19941

The lack of proper hostname validation in the router can enable attackers to inject their local IP address into the DNS service, opening the door to XSS attacks.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-19941

The technical aspects of the CVE-2019-19941 vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The Swisscom Centro Grande router lacks proper validation for hostnames, allowing attackers to insert their local IP address into the router's DNS service.

Affected Systems and Versions

Swisscom Centro Grande router versions prior to 6.16.12 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by using specially crafted hostnames in DHCP requests to insert their local IP address as a domain entry in the router's DNS service.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-19941, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Swisscom Centro Grande router to version 6.16.12 or later to patch the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious DHCP requests.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update router firmware to ensure the latest security patches are applied.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Swisscom and apply patches promptly to secure the router against known vulnerabilities.