CVE-2010-1996 in TomatoCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in index.php in TomatoCMS before 2.0.5 allow remote authenticated users, with certain creation privileges, to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) content parameter in conjunction with a /admin/poll/add PATH_INFO, the (2) meta parameter in conjunction with a /admin/category/add PATH_INFO, and the (3) keyword parameter in conjunction with a /admin/tag/add PATH_INFO.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1996 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in TomatoCMS versions prior to 2.0.5 that exposes the content management system to malicious injection attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets three distinct input parameters within the administrative interface, creating multiple attack vectors that could be exploited by authenticated users possessing certain creation privileges. The flaw resides in how the system processes user-supplied data within the PATH_INFO components of specific administrative URLs, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the administrative section of the CMS, potentially enabling attackers to escalate their privileges or compromise the entire system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the TomatoCMS application. When authenticated users with appropriate privileges attempt to create content through the specified administrative endpoints, the system fails to properly sanitize the content parameter in the poll creation path, the meta parameter in category creation path, and the keyword parameter in tag creation path. These parameters are processed without adequate filtering mechanisms, allowing malicious payloads to be stored and subsequently executed when the content is rendered to other users. The vulnerability manifests as a classic reflected XSS attack where user input is directly embedded into the web page without proper encoding or sanitization, making it susceptible to script execution in victim browsers. This weakness aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities due to insufficient input validation and output encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal administrative credentials, or manipulate content within the CMS. An attacker with access to the administrative interface could craft malicious payloads that would execute whenever other administrators or users view the affected content, creating persistent attack vectors. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only authenticated access with specific privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative accounts might be compromised or where privilege escalation occurs through other means. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that these vulnerabilities exist in core administrative functions, potentially allowing attackers to modify or delete content, alter user permissions, or even inject backdoors into the system. This type of vulnerability would typically be classified under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting and T1566.001 for credential access through phishing, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access through malicious script injection.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective immediate solution involves patching the affected TomatoCMS versions to 2.0.5 or later, where proper sanitization has been implemented for the affected parameters. Additionally, administrators should implement strict input validation that filters or encodes all user-supplied data before processing, particularly within administrative interfaces. The system should employ context-specific encoding for different output contexts, such as HTML, JavaScript, and URL encoding, to prevent injection attacks. Regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application, and input sanitization should be implemented as a defense-in-depth measure. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit similar XSS vulnerabilities, along with regular security training for administrators to recognize potential attack vectors and maintain proper access controls.