CVE-2010-2038 in gpEasy
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in include/tool/editing_files.php in gpEasy CMS 1.6.2 allows remote authenticated users, with Edit privileges, to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the gpcontent parameter to index.php. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2038 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the gpEasy Content Management System version 1.6.2. This security weakness resides in the editing_files.php script located within the include/tool directory of the application. The vulnerability specifically affects authenticated users who possess edit privileges, making it particularly concerning for environments where multiple users have varying levels of access control. The flaw manifests when the gpcontent parameter is manipulated through the index.php endpoint, creating an avenue for malicious script injection that can compromise user sessions and data integrity.
This XSS vulnerability operates through a classic parameter manipulation attack vector where the gpcontent parameter serves as the injection point for malicious code execution. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the editing_files.php script, which fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied content before rendering it within the web application's interface. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web page content, allowing attackers to execute scripts in the context of other users' browsers. The authenticated nature of this vulnerability means that attackers must first obtain valid login credentials with edit permissions, but once achieved, they can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-2038 extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user information, manipulate content displayed to other users, and potentially escalate privileges within the application. When authenticated users with edit rights access compromised pages, the malicious scripts injected through the gpcontent parameter can execute in their browsers, leading to unauthorized actions such as modifying content, accessing restricted areas, or even redirecting users to malicious sites. This vulnerability particularly affects the integrity of content management within gpEasy CMS, as it allows attackers to inject persistent scripts that can affect multiple users over time, creating a persistent threat vector that remains active until the vulnerability is patched.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2038 should prioritize immediate application of vendor patches or updates to gpEasy CMS version 1.6.3 or later, which would contain the necessary fixes for input validation and output sanitization. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, particularly focusing on the gpcontent parameter and similar input fields. The implementation of proper output encoding and escaping techniques, particularly when rendering user-generated content, would prevent malicious scripts from executing in the browser context. Security measures should also include regular security audits of web applications, implementation of content security policies to restrict script execution, and user access control reviews to ensure that only authorized personnel have edit privileges. Additionally, monitoring and logging of user activities within content management systems can help detect suspicious parameter manipulation attempts that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 which covers command and scripting interpreter for execution, highlighting how XSS vulnerabilities can provide attackers with persistent access to execute malicious code within user browsers.