CVE-2010-3025 in Open Blog
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Tomaz Muraus Open Blog 1.2.1, and possibly earlier, allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) excerpt parameter to application/modules/admin/controllers/posts.php, as reachable by admin/posts/edit; and the (2) content parameter to application/modules/admin/controllers/pages.php, as reachable by admin/posts/edit.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3025 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Open Blog content management system version 1.2.1 and potentially earlier iterations. This vulnerability resides in the administrative interface of the application where user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered back to users. The flaw manifests in two distinct attack vectors that target different parameters within the administrative controllers, creating multiple pathways for malicious actors to exploit the system. The vulnerability specifically affects the excerpt parameter in the posts.php controller and the content parameter in the pages.php controller, both of which are accessible through the admin/posts/edit endpoint. These parameters are processed without adequate input validation, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-supplied data within the web application's input sanitization mechanisms. When administrators or users interact with the administrative interface to edit posts or pages, the application fails to implement proper output encoding or input validation for the specified parameters. This creates a persistent XSS condition where malicious scripts can be stored and subsequently executed whenever legitimate users access the affected content. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires minimal privileges to exploit, as attackers only need to access the administrative interface to inject malicious code. The flaw directly violates security principle #3 from the OWASP Top Ten 2010, which addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a fundamental weakness in web applications. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the administrative privileges of the application, potentially allowing attackers to execute malicious code with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. When exploited, the XSS vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the victim's browser, potentially leading to full account compromise if administrators are logged in. The vulnerability can be exploited through various methods including phishing attacks that trick administrators into clicking malicious links, or by directly injecting malicious code into the application's content management interface. The persistent nature of stored XSS vulnerabilities means that once the malicious code is injected, it will continue to execute for all users who view the affected content until the malicious payload is removed from the system. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers Scripting through the use of JavaScript and other scripting languages to execute malicious code within the browser environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3025 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements within the application architecture. The primary recommendation involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms for all user-supplied data within the administrative interface. This includes sanitizing the excerpt and content parameters before they are processed or stored within the database, and ensuring that all output is properly encoded when rendered to users. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts, and consider implementing additional security measures such as input length restrictions and character set validation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation, particularly within administrative interfaces where the potential for privilege escalation exists. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application, and the application should be updated to a patched version that addresses these specific XSS flaws. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring mechanisms can help detect unauthorized access attempts and potential exploitation of this vulnerability. The vulnerability highlights the need for comprehensive security training for developers and the implementation of secure coding standards that prevent similar issues from occurring in future development cycles.