CVE-2020-18671 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Roundcube Mail <=1.4.4 XSS Vulnerability via smtp config

Understanding CVE-2020-18671

This CVE involves a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Roundcube Mail version 1.4.4 and below, specifically through the smtp config in /installer/test.php.

What is CVE-2020-18671?

The CVE-2020-18671 is a security vulnerability that allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a web application, potentially leading to unauthorized actions.

The Impact of CVE-2020-18671

This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to perform various malicious activities, such as stealing sensitive information, session hijacking, or delivering malware to users accessing the affected application.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-18671

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

Vulnerability Description

The XSS vulnerability in Roundcube Mail <=1.4.4 allows attackers to inject and execute malicious scripts through the smtp configuration in /installer/test.php.

Affected Systems and Versions

Roundcube Mail versions 1.4.4 and below are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts into the smtp configuration in /installer/test.php, which can then be executed within the context of the application.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-18671 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Roundcube Mail to version 1.4.5 or 1.3.12, which includes security patches to address this vulnerability.
Regularly monitor and audit smtp configurations to detect any unauthorized changes.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks.
Educate users and developers about the risks of XSS vulnerabilities and best practices for secure coding.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Roundcube Mail to address vulnerabilities like CVE-2020-18671.