CVE-2010-4895 in chillyCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in core/showsite.php in chillyCMS 1.1.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the name parameter (aka the username field). NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2025
The CVE-2010-4895 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in chillyCMS version 1.1.3 that exposes the application to remote code execution through user input manipulation. This vulnerability specifically targets the core/showsite.php script where the name parameter, commonly used as a username field, fails to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied data before rendering it within the web page context. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the compromised system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks in web applications. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically highlighting the failure to properly encode data before including it in HTML output.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by malicious actors without requiring any special privileges or authentication. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that, when visited by unsuspecting users, execute unauthorized commands within the context of the victim's browser session. This creates a significant risk for organizations using chillyCMS, particularly those with user-generated content or collaborative features where the name parameter might be exposed to external users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core application functionality, making it difficult to isolate and patch without potentially disrupting essential site operations. The attack surface is broad since any user interaction with the vulnerable parameter could serve as an entry point for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4895 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The most direct solution involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms that ensure all user-supplied data is sanitized before being processed or displayed. This includes applying HTML entity encoding to all dynamic content rendered in web pages, particularly in fields that accept user input such as usernames or names. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the sources from which scripts can be executed, providing an additional layer of protection against malicious script injection. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious JavaScript or redirect users to phishing sites. The remediation process should include comprehensive code review to identify all input parameters that may be vulnerable, regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing, and ensuring that all user inputs are properly escaped or validated before being included in dynamic web content.