CVE-2019-20381 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

TestLink before version 1.9.20 is vulnerable to cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks due to improper handling of the reqURI parameter in the index.php file.

Understanding CVE-2019-20381

This CVE describes a security issue in TestLink that could allow malicious actors to execute XSS attacks.

What is CVE-2019-20381?

TestLink versions prior to 1.9.20 are susceptible to XSS attacks when using non-lowercase "javascript:" in the reqURI parameter of the index.php file.

The Impact of CVE-2019-20381

The vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, leading to potential data theft or unauthorized actions.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-20381

TestLink's vulnerability to XSS attacks due to improper input validation.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from incomplete mitigation of a previously reported vulnerability (CVE-2019-19491), allowing for XSS attacks via the reqURI parameter.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: TestLink
Vendor: TestLinkOpenSourceTRMS
Versions Affected: All versions before 1.9.20

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts containing non-lowercase "javascript:" into the reqURI parameter, potentially executing unauthorized actions.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent exploitation of CVE-2019-20381.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade TestLink to version 1.9.20 or later to mitigate the XSS vulnerability.
Avoid using non-lowercase "javascript:" in the reqURI parameter.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software to the latest versions to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement input validation and sanitization to prevent XSS attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates provided by TestLink to address vulnerabilities like CVE-2019-20381.