CVE-2019-20804 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Gila CMS before version 1.11.6 is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) and Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks through the admin/themes URI, potentially leading to unauthorized access and compromise of the admin account.

Understanding CVE-2019-20804

This CVE entry highlights a security vulnerability in Gila CMS that could allow malicious actors to perform CSRF and XSS attacks.

What is CVE-2019-20804?

Gila CMS versions prior to 1.11.6 contain a flaw that enables CSRF attacks via the admin/themes URI, which can result in XSS attacks. These vulnerabilities may lead to the unauthorized access and potential compromise of the admin account.

The Impact of CVE-2019-20804

The security issue in Gila CMS could have severe consequences, including unauthorized access to sensitive information and potential compromise of the admin account, posing a significant risk to the system's integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-20804

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE, providing insights into the vulnerability and its implications.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Gila CMS allows for CSRF attacks through the admin/themes URI, leading to XSS attacks that could compromise the admin account.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Gila CMS
Vendor: N/A
Versions Affected: Versions prior to 1.11.6

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by crafting malicious requests to the admin/themes URI, triggering CSRF and XSS attacks that may compromise the admin account.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-20804 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Gila CMS to version 1.11.6 or later to mitigate the CSRF and XSS vulnerabilities.
Implement strict input validation and output encoding to prevent CSRF and XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update the CMS for security patches and fixes.
Educate users on safe browsing practices and the risks associated with CSRF and XSS attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates provided by Gila CMS to address known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.