CVE-2020-17480 : What You Need to Know

TinyMCE before 4.9.7 and 5.x before 5.1.4 is vulnerable to XSS attacks in the core parser, paste plugin, and visualchars plugin, allowing malicious content insertion.

Understanding CVE-2020-17480

What is CVE-2020-17480?

TinyMCE versions prior to 4.9.7 and 5.x before 5.1.4 are susceptible to cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks through specific plugins and functionalities.

The Impact of CVE-2020-17480

This vulnerability enables attackers to execute malicious scripts within the editor, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-17480

Vulnerability Description

The XSS vulnerability in TinyMCE versions before 4.9.7 and 5.x before 5.1.4 allows attackers to insert harmful content using the clipboard or APIs.

Affected Systems and Versions

TinyMCE versions before 4.9.7
TinyMCE 5.x versions before 5.1.4

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit this vulnerability by leveraging the core parser, paste plugin, and visualchars plugin to inject malicious content into the editor.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update TinyMCE to version 4.9.7 or 5.1.4 to patch the vulnerability.
Disable the paste and visualchars plugins if not essential for functionality.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security advisories and update TinyMCE promptly.
Educate users on safe content handling practices within the editor.

Patching and Updates

Apply security fixes provided by TinyMCE to address the XSS vulnerability.