CVE-2019-16878 : Security Advisory and Response

Portainer before version 1.22.1 is affected by a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability. This is the second issue out of two reported.

Understanding CVE-2019-16878

What is CVE-2019-16878?

Portainer versions prior to 1.22.1 have a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability.

The Impact of CVE-2019-16878

This vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute malicious scripts in the context of a user's browser, potentially leading to unauthorized actions.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-16878

Vulnerability Description

The XSS vulnerability in Portainer versions before 1.22.1 allows attackers to inject and execute malicious scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Portainer
Vendor: N/A
Versions affected: All versions prior to 1.22.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts into input fields or parameters, which are not properly sanitized by the application.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Portainer to version 1.22.1 or later to mitigate the XSS vulnerability.
Regularly monitor and review input validation mechanisms to prevent script injection attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices to sanitize user inputs and prevent XSS vulnerabilities.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address potential security weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Portainer and apply them promptly to ensure the security of your systems.