CVE-2021-36805 : What You Need to Know

A detailed overview of CVE-2021-36805, a Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability affecting Akaunting version 2.1.12 and earlier.

Understanding CVE-2021-36805

This section delves into the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies related to the Akaunting Invoice Footer Persistent XSS vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-36805?

CVE-2021-36805 is a persistent (type II) Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in Akaunting version 2.1.12 and prior. The vulnerability exists in the sales invoice processing component of the application.

The Impact of CVE-2021-36805

With a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.2 (Medium Severity), this vulnerability can lead to high confidentiality impact, allowing attackers with high privileges to execute malicious scripts in the context of the victim's session.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-36805

Explore the specifics of the vulnerability, including the affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and more.

Vulnerability Description

The persistent XSS flaw in Akaunting enables attackers to inject and execute malicious scripts within the sales invoice processing feature, potentially compromising sensitive user data.

Affected Systems and Versions

Akaunting versions up to and including 2.1.12 are impacted by this vulnerability, while version 2.1.13 contains the necessary security patches.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability requires high privileges within the application and user interaction. Attackers can manipulate the invoice footer to execute unauthorized scripts.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover the immediate steps to secure your systems and long-term best practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update Akaunting to version 2.1.13 or newer to eliminate the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, security teams should audit and sanitize input fields to prevent script injection.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement a comprehensive security testing framework, educate developers about secure coding practices, and stay informed about the latest security patches for third-party components.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitor for software updates and security advisories from Akaunting to ensure prompt application of patches that address known vulnerabilities.