#VU49588 Cross-site scripting in redcarpet - CVE-2020-26298

Vulnerability identifier: #VU49588

Vulnerability risk: Medium

CVSSv4.0: 1.2 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:N/VI:N/VA:N/SC:L/SI:L/SA:N/E:U/U:Green]

CVE-ID: CVE-2020-26298

CWE-ID: CWE-79

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
redcarpet
Universal components / Libraries / Programming Languages & Components

Vendor: redcarpet

Description

The disclosed vulnerability allows a remote attacker to perform cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.

The vulnerability exists due to insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data. A remote attacker can trick the victim to follow a specially crafted link and execute arbitrary HTML and script code in user's browser in context of vulnerable website.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may allow a remote attacker to steal potentially sensitive information, change appearance of the web page, perform phishing and drive-by-download attacks.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

redcarpet: 1.0.0 - 3.5.0

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External links
https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-q3wr-qw3g-3p4h
https://github.com/vmg/redcarpet/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md#version-351-security
https://github.com/vmg/redcarpet/commit/a699c82292b17c8e6a62e1914d5eccc252272793
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/01/msg00014.html
https://rubygems.org/gems/redcarpet
https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4831

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.