CVE-2015-6938: Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Vulnerability in IPython Notebook
Summary
CVE-2015-6938: Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the file browser in notebook/notebookapp.py in IPython Notebook before 3.2.2 and Jupyter Notebook 4.0.x before 4.0.5 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or H... Affects ipython across 2 version ranges.
< 3.2.2
< 3ab41641cf6fce3860c73d5cf4645aa12e1e5892
Fixed in 3ab41641cf6fce3860c73d5cf4645aa12e1e5892. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
The same CVE-2015-6938 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.
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Background
IPython Notebook is an interactive computational environment that allows users to create and share documents containing live code, equations, visualizations, and explanatory text. It is widely used by data scientists, researchers, and developers for data analysis, machine learning, and scientific computing. This vulnerability affects IPython Notebook versions before 3.2.2 and Jupyter Notebook 4.0.x before 4.0.5.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability is a cross-site scripting (XSS) issue that exists in the file browser of IPython Notebook. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting arbitrary web script or HTML through a folder name. This can lead to the execution of malicious code in the context of the affected user's browser, potentially compromising their sensitive information or performing unauthorized actions. Initially reported as a cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability, it was later determined to be an XSS vulnerability.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
3ab41641cf6fce3860c73d5cf4645aa12e1e5892
This is the first release that contains the fix.
pip install --upgrade "ipython==3ab41641cf6fce3860c73d5cf4645aa12e1e5892"Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
There is no specific workaround mentioned for this vulnerability. However, users can mitigate the risk by ensuring that they do not open or interact with files or folders with suspicious or untrusted names. Additionally, implementing a web application firewall (WAF) or input validation mechanisms can help prevent the exploitation of XSS vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IPython Notebook and Jupyter Notebook can allow remote attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML through folder names, potentially compromising user data and performing unauthorized actions. Users should upgrade to the secure versions mentioned and follow the recommended security practices to mitigate the risk. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
Cross-site scripting (XSS) is a type of security vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. This can lead to the execution of arbitrary code in the context of the affected user's browser, potentially compromising their sensitive information or performing unauthorized actions.
IPython Notebook is an interactive computational environment that allows users to create and share documents containing live code, equations, visualizations, and explanatory text. It is widely used for data analysis, machine learning, and scientific computing.
To check the version of IPython Notebook or Jupyter Notebook, you can run the following command in your terminal or command prompt:
ipython --version
This will display the installed version of IPython Notebook. Similarly, you can use the command 'jupyter --version' to check the version of Jupyter Notebook.
There are no known public exploits of this vulnerability at the time of this report. However, it is important to promptly update to the secure versions mentioned to mitigate the risk of potential exploitation.
For more information about IPython Notebook or Jupyter Notebook security, you can refer to the official documentation and security advisories provided by the IPython and Jupyter Notebook projects. These resources often contain important updates, vulnerability disclosures, and recommended security practices.
References
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