CVE-2011-0741 in Evolution
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in ModX Evolution before 1.0.5 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) installer or (2) image editor.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0741 represents a critical security flaw in ModX Evolution content management system versions prior to 1.0.5. This issue manifests as multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that enable remote attackers to execute malicious code within the context of affected web applications. The vulnerability specifically affects two distinct components of the ModX Evolution platform: the installer module and the image editor functionality. These attack vectors demonstrate a fundamental failure in input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the CMS framework, creating persistent security risks for organizations utilizing vulnerable versions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper handling of user-supplied input data within the installer and image editor components. Attackers can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code that gets executed when other users interact with the affected functionality. The installer component represents a particularly dangerous attack surface since it typically operates with elevated privileges during the initial setup process, while the image editor presents a more common user-facing attack vector that could be exploited through file upload or configuration manipulation. Both attack vectors fall under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing stored XSS vulnerabilities where malicious payloads persist in the application's database or configuration files. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that these components are integral to the CMS installation and ongoing management processes, making successful exploitation particularly damaging.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-0741 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as the XSS vulnerabilities can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, redirect users to malicious sites, or extract sensitive information from authenticated sessions. When attackers successfully exploit the installer component, they may gain unauthorized access to the CMS administration interface or manipulate installation parameters to create backdoors. The image editor exploitation could allow attackers to inject malicious code into images that would execute when viewed by other users, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Organizations using vulnerable ModX Evolution installations face significant risks including data breaches, unauthorized access to administrative functions, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 for Phishing and T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as attackers could leverage the XSS to redirect users to malicious domains or establish persistent access through compromised user sessions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0741 require immediate action to upgrade to ModX Evolution version 1.0.5 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerabilities in both the installer and image editor components. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their web applications, particularly focusing on user-supplied data in administrative interfaces. Security measures including web application firewalls, content security policies, and regular security audits can provide additional protection layers. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper security testing procedures during application development. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, as well as establishing incident response procedures specifically designed to handle XSS-related security events. Regular security training for administrators and developers can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in custom modifications or third-party extensions that may interact with the core CMS functionality.