Cross-site scripting in Redcarpet library for Ruby

1) Cross-site scripting

EUVDB-ID: #VU49588

Risk: Medium

CVSSv3.1: 5.3 [CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2020-26298

CWE-ID: CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')

Exploit availability: No

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

External links

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

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.