CVE-2020-16956 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Microsoft Dynamics 365 (on-premises) is affected by a cross-site scripting vulnerability that could allow an authenticated attacker to execute malicious scripts on the system.

Understanding CVE-2020-16956

This CVE involves a security issue in Microsoft Dynamics 365 (on-premises) that could lead to cross-site scripting attacks.

What is CVE-2020-16956?

A cross-site scripting vulnerability in Microsoft Dynamics 365 (on-premises) allows attackers to execute scripts in the security context of authenticated users, potentially leading to unauthorized actions and data access.

The Impact of CVE-2020-16956

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could enable attackers to read unauthorized content, manipulate permissions, and inject malicious scripts into users' browsers.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-16956

This section provides more in-depth technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from inadequate sanitization of web requests to affected Dynamics servers, enabling attackers to send crafted requests and execute malicious scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: Microsoft
Affected Product: Microsoft Dynamics 365 (on-premises)
Versions: 8.2, 9.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the vulnerability by sending specially crafted requests to affected Dynamics servers.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-16956 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the security update provided by Microsoft to ensure proper sanitization of web requests.
Monitor for any unusual activities on Dynamics servers.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch Microsoft Dynamics 365 to mitigate future vulnerabilities.
Educate users on safe browsing practices to prevent cross-site scripting attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Microsoft and promptly apply patches to secure the system.