CVE-2020-12882 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Submitty through 20.04.01 allows XSS via upload of an SVG document, as demonstrated by an attack by a Student against a Teaching Fellow.

Understanding CVE-2020-12882

This CVE identifies a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Submitty version 20.04.01.

What is CVE-2020-12882?

CVE-2020-12882 is a security flaw in Submitty that enables XSS attacks through the uploading of SVG documents. This vulnerability was demonstrated by a Student targeting a Teaching Fellow.

The Impact of CVE-2020-12882

The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, manipulation of content, and potential data theft within the Submitty platform.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-12882

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Submitty version 20.04.01 allows attackers to execute malicious scripts by uploading SVG documents, posing a risk of XSS attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: 20.04.01
Systems running Submitty up to version 20.04.01 are vulnerable to this XSS exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by uploading a crafted SVG document, enabling them to execute arbitrary scripts within the context of a user's session on Submitty.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-12882 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Submitty to a patched version that addresses the XSS vulnerability.
Educate users on safe file upload practices to prevent malicious document uploads.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement content security policies (CSP) to mitigate XSS risks.
Regularly monitor and audit file uploads and user interactions within Submitty.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Submitty promptly to address the XSS vulnerability and enhance overall system security.