CVE-2020-7656 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CVE-2020-7656 is a vulnerability in jQuery versions prior to 1.9.0 that allows Cross-site Scripting attacks via the load method. This CVE was published on May 19, 2020, by Snyk.

Understanding CVE-2020-7656

This section provides insights into the nature and impact of CVE-2020-7656.

What is CVE-2020-7656?

CVE-2020-7656 is a security vulnerability in jQuery that enables Cross-site Scripting attacks through the load method. The issue arises from the failure to recognize and remove certain HTML tags, allowing malicious script execution.

The Impact of CVE-2020-7656

This vulnerability can be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of a user's browser, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-7656

Explore the technical aspects of CVE-2020-7656 to understand its implications.

Vulnerability Description

The load method in jQuery versions prior to 1.9.0 does not properly handle "<script>" HTML tags containing whitespace characters, enabling malicious script execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: n/a
Product: jQuery
Affected Versions: All versions before 1.9.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts into web pages that utilize vulnerable versions of jQuery, leading to Cross-site Scripting attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2020-7656.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade jQuery to version 1.9.0 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement input validation and output encoding to prevent script injection.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update libraries and dependencies to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from jQuery to apply patches promptly.