CVE-2020-1936 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A cross-site scripting vulnerability in Apache Ambari Views could allow attackers to execute malicious scripts in a victim's browser, potentially leading to data theft or unauthorized actions.

Understanding CVE-2020-1936

Apache Ambari 2.7.4 is affected by a stored XSS vulnerability that has been addressed in version 2.7.4.

What is CVE-2020-1936?

This CVE refers to a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) issue in Apache Ambari Views, a web view management framework.

The Impact of CVE-2020-1936

The vulnerability could allow an attacker to inject and execute malicious scripts within the context of a user's session.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-1936

Apache Ambari, versions less than 2.7.4, is affected by the stored XSS vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Type: Cross-site Scripting (XSS)
CWE ID: CWE-79
Description: Allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by users.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Apache Ambari
Vendor: Apache Software Foundation
Affected Version: Apache Ambari less than 2.7.4

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by inserting malicious scripts into input fields or parameters accepted by Apache Ambari Views, which are then executed in the context of the victim's session.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2020-1936.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Apache Ambari to version 2.7.4 or later to eliminate the vulnerability.
Regularly monitor and audit input fields and parameters for potential script injections.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement input validation mechanisms to prevent script insertion.
Educate users on safe browsing habits to minimize exposure to XSS attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Apache Software Foundation.