CVE-2020-35592 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Pi-hole 5.0, 5.1, and 5.1.1 are vulnerable to XSS attacks via the Options header, allowing remote attackers to execute malicious scripts and steal session cookies.

Understanding CVE-2020-35592

Pi-hole versions 5.0, 5.1, and 5.1.1 are susceptible to a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability that can be exploited by injecting arbitrary web scripts or HTML through the Options header.

What is CVE-2020-35592?

This CVE describes a security flaw in Pi-hole versions 5.0, 5.1, and 5.1.1 that enables attackers to perform a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting attack by manipulating user-supplied data.

The Impact of CVE-2020-35592

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a user's session, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or other malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-35592

Pi-hole 5.0, 5.1, and 5.1.1 are affected by the following:

Vulnerability Description

XSS vulnerability via the Options header
Incorrect sanitization of user-supplied data

Affected Systems and Versions

Pi-hole versions 5.0, 5.1, and 5.1.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML through the Options header
Achieve a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting attack against other users
Steal the session cookie

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-35592, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Pi-hole to the latest version
Implement input validation and proper data sanitization
Monitor and restrict user input to prevent XSS attacks

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and review code for security vulnerabilities
Educate developers on secure coding practices
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly
Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Pi-hole