CVE-2020-11456 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

LimeSurvey before 4.1.12+200324 has a stored XSS vulnerability in specific files, potentially allowing attackers to execute malicious scripts.

Understanding CVE-2020-11456

This CVE identifies a security issue in LimeSurvey that could lead to cross-site scripting attacks.

What is CVE-2020-11456?

LimeSurvey versions prior to 4.1.12+200324 are susceptible to stored XSS in certain files, including surveySettings.php and SurveysGroups.php.

The Impact of CVE-2020-11456

The vulnerability could enable malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary scripts within the context of the affected application, posing a risk of data theft, unauthorized actions, and potential compromise of user information.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-11456

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue resides in the improper handling of user-supplied input in the mentioned LimeSurvey files, allowing attackers to store and trigger malicious scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

LimeSurvey versions before 4.1.12+200324

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting crafted scripts into the affected LimeSurvey files, which may execute when unsuspecting users interact with the compromised components.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-11456 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade LimeSurvey to version 4.1.12+200324 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Regularly monitor and audit user input and output to detect and prevent XSS attacks.
Implement content security policies (CSP) to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Educate users and developers on secure coding practices to prevent XSS vulnerabilities.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address potential security gaps.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by LimeSurvey to address known vulnerabilities and enhance application security.