CVE-2020-15161 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

In PrestaShop from version 1.6.0.4 and before version 1.7.6.8, an attacker can inject JavaScript via the contact form. The issue has been resolved in version 1.7.6.8.

Understanding CVE-2020-15161

This CVE identifies a potential Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in PrestaShop.

What is CVE-2020-15161?

CVE-2020-15161 is a security vulnerability in PrestaShop versions greater than 1.6.0.4 and less than 1.7.6.8 that allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through the contact form.

The Impact of CVE-2020-15161

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as medium severity with a CVSS base score of 5.4. It requires a high attack complexity and occurs over a network without requiring privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-15161

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability (CWE-79) arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, leading to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: PrestaShop
Vendor: PrestaShop
Versions Affected: > 1.6.0.4, < 1.7.6.8

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Vector: Network
Attack Complexity: High
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Scope: Changed
Confidentiality Impact: Low
Integrity Impact: Low
Availability Impact: None

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-15161 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update PrestaShop to version 1.7.6.8 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor and sanitize user inputs to prevent XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch PrestaShop to the latest versions.
Implement input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS vulnerabilities.
Educate users and developers on secure coding practices.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by PrestaShop promptly.
Stay informed about security advisories and updates from PrestaShop.