CVE-2010-4863 in GetSimple
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in admin/changedata.php in GetSimple CMS 2.01 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the post-title parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2025
The CVE-2010-4863 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the GetSimple Content Management System version 2.01, specifically affecting the admin/changedata.php component. This vulnerability resides in the administrative interface where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users, creating a persistent vector for malicious code injection. The flaw manifests when attackers manipulate the post-title parameter, which is processed without adequate input validation or output encoding mechanisms. This particular vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security weaknesses identified by the CWE organization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing JavaScript code or HTML tags and submits it through the post-title parameter in the admin interface. Upon successful injection, the malicious code executes in the context of other users' browsers who visit pages containing the compromised content. The attack vector leverages the trust relationship between the web application and its users, allowing threat actors to bypass normal security restrictions. This vulnerability specifically targets the administrative functionality of GetSimple CMS, making it particularly dangerous as it could enable unauthorized modification of content, session hijacking, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS issue since the malicious script is reflected back to users through the application's response, though it could also function as a stored XSS if the data persists in the database.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4863 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the compromised system. An attacker could potentially steal administrative credentials, modify content to spread malware, or redirect users to phishing sites that appear legitimate. The vulnerability undermines the integrity of the content management system, as it allows unauthorized modification of the website's content and could lead to complete system compromise if combined with other vulnerabilities. This weakness affects the availability and confidentiality of the website's data, as attackers can manipulate the content and potentially access sensitive information. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring any special privileges or access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on GetSimple CMS for their web presence. The vulnerability also violates the principle of least privilege and proper input validation, which are fundamental security concepts outlined in various security frameworks including the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 standards.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4863 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the GetSimple CMS application. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user input, particularly in administrative interfaces, by implementing proper HTML escaping and encoding before rendering any user-supplied content. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the sources from which scripts can be executed, thereby reducing the impact of successful XSS attacks. Regular security updates and patches should be applied to ensure that known vulnerabilities are addressed, as this specific version of GetSimple CMS is outdated and no longer receives security support. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring mechanisms can help detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and input validation techniques as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten project and the ATT&CK framework, where such vulnerabilities are categorized under the 'Initial Access' and 'Persistence' phases of the attack lifecycle. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their web applications.