CVE-2019-6796 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been found in various versions of GitLab Community and Enterprise Edition (pre-11.5.8, pre-11.6.x, and pre-11.7.x) allowing for a persistent cross-site scripting (XSS) attack.

Understanding CVE-2019-6796

This CVE relates to a cross-site scripting vulnerability in GitLab Community and Enterprise Edition versions pre-11.5.8, pre-11.6.x, and pre-11.7.x.

What is CVE-2019-6796?

This vulnerability, named "XSS issue 2 of 2," is associated with the user status field in GitLab. Due to inadequate input validation and output encoding, attackers can exploit this flaw to execute persistent XSS attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2019-6796

Attackers can inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, leading to potential data theft, session hijacking, or unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-6796

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The user status field in affected GitLab versions lacks proper input validation and output encoding, enabling persistent cross-site scripting attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

GitLab Community and Enterprise Edition versions pre-11.5.8, pre-11.6.x, and pre-11.7.x.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts into the user status field, which are then executed when other users view the affected pages.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-6796 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update GitLab to versions 11.5.8, 11.6.6, or 11.7.1 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Educate users about the risks of clicking on suspicious links or executing unknown scripts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict input validation and output encoding practices in web applications to prevent XSS vulnerabilities.
Regularly monitor and audit web applications for security flaws and apply patches promptly.
Stay informed about security updates and best practices to enhance overall system security.

Patching and Updates

GitLab has released security updates to address this vulnerability. Ensure timely installation of these patches to secure your systems.