CVE-2020-35721 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Quest Policy Authority 8.1.2.200 is affected by a Reflected XSS vulnerability that allows remote attackers to inject malicious code into the browser. This vulnerability impacts products that are no longer supported by the maintainer.

Understanding CVE-2020-35721

This CVE involves a specific version of Quest Policy Authority being susceptible to a Reflected XSS attack.

What is CVE-2020-35721?

Reflected XSS in Quest Policy Authority 8.1.2.200 enables attackers to insert harmful code into the browser through a manipulated link to the BrowseAssets.do file using the title parameter. Notably, this vulnerability affects only unsupported products.

The Impact of CVE-2020-35721

The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized code execution in the context of the user's browser, potentially compromising sensitive data and user interactions.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-35721

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the victim's browser by crafting a malicious link to the BrowseAssets.do file with the title parameter.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Quest Policy Authority 8.1.2.200
Vendor: Quest
Versions: All versions of the affected product

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by enticing users to click on a specially crafted link that injects malicious code into the browser via the vulnerable title parameter.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-35721 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable or restrict access to the vulnerable application if it is no longer supported.
Implement web application firewalls to filter and block malicious traffic.
Educate users about the risks of clicking on untrusted links.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address weaknesses.
Monitor and analyze web traffic for suspicious activities that may indicate an attack.

Patching and Updates

If available, apply patches provided by the vendor to fix the vulnerability.
Consider upgrading to supported versions of the software to benefit from ongoing security updates.