CVE-2010-3882 in CMS Made Simple
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in CMS Made Simple 1.7.1 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via input to the (1) Add Pages, (2) Add Global Content, (3) Edit Global Content, (4) Add Article, (5) Add Category, (6) Add Field Definition, or (7) Add Shortcut module.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-3882 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting CMS Made Simple versions 1.7.1 and earlier. This flaw exists within the content management system's input validation mechanisms, specifically in several core administrative modules that handle user-generated content. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user inputs across multiple pathways within the CMS interface, creating opportunities for malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of other users' browsers. The affected modules include Add Pages, Add Global Content, Edit Global Content, Add Article, Add Category, Add Field Definition, and Add Shortcut, all of which process user-supplied data without adequate validation or encoding measures. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a Cross-Site Scripting flaw, which represents one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security weaknesses identified by the CWE organization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it allows attackers to establish persistent malicious presence within the target environment. When exploited, the XSS vulnerability enables attackers to inject malicious scripts that can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or modify content displayed to other users. The attack vector requires no special privileges or authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by remote attackers with minimal access requirements. The vulnerability affects the administrative interface of CMS Made Simple, which means that successful exploitation could potentially lead to complete compromise of the content management system and the underlying website. According to ATT&CK framework category T1566, this vulnerability represents a technique for Initial Access through the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities, while T1100 covers the use of credentials obtained through such attacks for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3882 must focus on immediate remediation through software updates and comprehensive input validation implementation. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to CMS Made Simple version 1.8.0 or later, where the XSS vulnerabilities have been addressed through proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive content security policies that enforce strict validation of all user inputs, particularly in administrative modules where privileged operations occur. The implementation of proper output encoding, such as HTML entity encoding for dynamic content, prevents malicious scripts from executing when rendered in user browsers. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions that can detect and block suspicious input patterns attempting to exploit XSS vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of consistent input validation across all user-facing interfaces. The remediation process should also include user education regarding the risks of clicking suspicious links or entering untrusted content, as social engineering remains a common vector for exploitation of such vulnerabilities.