CVE-2018-20901 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

In versions of cPanel prior to 71.9980.37, a vulnerability allowed for Remote-Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks in the WHM Save Theme Interface.

Understanding CVE-2018-20901

In this CVE, a security flaw in cPanel versions before 71.9980.37 enabled Remote-Stored XSS attacks in the WHM Save Theme Interface.

What is CVE-2018-20901?

cPanel versions prior to 71.9980.37 were susceptible to Remote-Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks in the WHM Save Theme Interface, identified as SEC-400.

The Impact of CVE-2018-20901

This vulnerability could allow malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of a user's session, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-20901

The technical aspects of the vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

Vulnerability Type: Remote-Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Vulnerability Identifier: SEC-400

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Systems: cPanel versions before 71.9980.37
Affected Component: WHM Save Theme Interface
Vendor: cPanel

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Vector: Remote
Attack Complexity: Low
Privileges Required: None

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-20901, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade cPanel to version 71.9980.37 or later
Regularly monitor for security advisories from cPanel

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict input validation mechanisms
Educate users on safe browsing habits and avoiding suspicious links

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly
Keep cPanel and associated software up to date to prevent vulnerabilities