CVE-2019-7621 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Kibana versions before 6.8.6 and 7.5.1 have a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in coordinate and region map visualizations, allowing attackers to execute malicious JavaScript in victims' browsers.

Understanding CVE-2019-7621

This CVE identifies a security flaw in older versions of Kibana that could be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code in users' browsers.

What is CVE-2019-7621?

The vulnerability in Kibana versions prior to 6.8.6 and 7.5.1 enables attackers to inject and execute malicious JavaScript code through specially crafted visualizations.

The Impact of CVE-2019-7621

Exploiting this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized execution of code in the context of Kibana users, potentially compromising sensitive data and system integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-7621

This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Kibana allows attackers to create malicious visualizations that, when viewed by other users, execute JavaScript code in their browsers.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Kibana
Vendor: Elastic
Vulnerable Versions: Before 6.8.6 and 7.5.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with the ability to create coordinate map visualizations can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious code that executes when other users view the visualization.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-7621 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Kibana to version 6.8.6 or 7.5.1 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Avoid opening visualizations or dashboards from untrusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches promptly.
Educate users on safe browsing practices and the risks of executing untrusted code.
Implement content security policies to mitigate XSS attacks.
Monitor and analyze network traffic for suspicious activities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security updates and patches provided by Elastic to address the vulnerability.