CVE-2010-4616 in ImpressCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in modules/content/admin/content.php in ImpressCMS 1.2.3 Final, and possibly other versions before 1.2.4, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the quicksearch_ContentContent parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2019
The CVE-2010-4616 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the ImpressCMS content management system version 1.2.3 Final and potentially earlier versions. This vulnerability exists within the modules/content/admin/content.php file and specifically targets the quicksearch_ContentContent parameter, creating a significant security risk for web applications utilizing this CMS. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content directly into the application's interface, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a weakness in web applications where user-provided input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to other users. The specific implementation flaw occurs when the application fails to validate or escape user input passed through the quicksearch_ContentContent parameter, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it operates at the administrative level, potentially enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to content management functions and compromise the entire CMS infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, manipulate content, and potentially escalate privileges within the CMS environment. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of authenticated users, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires minimal user interaction, often relying on social engineering to lure victims into clicking malicious links or visiting compromised pages. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious links and T1059.007 for command and control through script injection.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4616 should focus on immediate patching of the affected ImpressCMS versions to 1.2.4 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures, including proper HTML escaping and validation of all user-supplied data before processing. The implementation of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent script execution from unauthorized sources. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other CMS components, while web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability. System administrators should also implement proper access controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts and maintain detailed logs of all administrative activities for forensic analysis purposes.