CVE-2020-16871 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2020-16871 affecting Microsoft Dynamics 365 (on-premises). Understand the impact, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation steps.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (on-premises) is affected by a cross-site scripting vulnerability that could allow an authenticated attacker to execute malicious scripts on the system. This CVE was published on September 11, 2020, with a CVSS base score of 5.4.
Understanding CVE-2020-16871
A cross-site scripting vulnerability in Microsoft Dynamics 365 (on-premises) could enable attackers to execute scripts in the security context of authenticated users, potentially leading to unauthorized actions and data exposure.
What is CVE-2020-16871?
This vulnerability arises from inadequate sanitization of web requests to affected Dynamics servers, allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious scripts.
The Impact of CVE-2020-16871
Exploitation of this vulnerability could result in unauthorized access to sensitive information, manipulation of user permissions, and the injection of malicious content into user browsers.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-16871
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (on-premises) version 8.2 and 9.0 are affected by this vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability stems from improper sanitization of web requests, enabling attackers to execute malicious scripts on affected Dynamics servers.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Vendor: Microsoft
- Affected Product: Microsoft Dynamics 365 (on-premises) version 8.2 and 9.0
- Platforms: Unknown
- Versions: 8.0, 9.0.0
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted requests to affected Dynamics servers, allowing them to execute cross-site scripting attacks.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2020-16871, immediate steps and long-term security practices are recommended.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply the security update provided by Microsoft to ensure proper sanitization of web requests.
- Monitor and restrict access to affected Dynamics servers.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch Microsoft Dynamics 365 to mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
- Educate users on safe browsing practices and the risks of executing untrusted scripts.
- Implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious web requests.
Patching and Updates
Microsoft has released a security update to address this vulnerability and enhance the sanitization of web requests in Dynamics Server.