CVE-2011-2673 in BaserCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in BaserCMS before 1.6.13.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/11/2019
The CVE-2011-2673 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in BaserCMS versions prior to 1.6.13.2, exposing web applications to persistent and potentially damaging malicious code injection attacks. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws identified by the CWE organization. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the BaserCMS framework. Attackers can exploit unspecified vectors to inject malicious scripts into web pages that are subsequently executed by unsuspecting users. These vectors likely involve user-controllable parameters that are not properly sanitized before being rendered in web responses. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can be leveraged to perform session manipulation, steal sensitive cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even modify content displayed to other users. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that multiple input points within the CMS could serve as entry points for exploitation, making the vulnerability particularly concerning from a security assessment perspective.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations using affected BaserCMS versions. The remote exploitation capability means attackers can target users from any location without requiring physical access to the system or network. Successful exploitation could result in complete compromise of user sessions, unauthorized access to administrative functions, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability's presence in a content management system creates additional attack surface as CMS platforms often contain sensitive administrative interfaces and user data. Organizations may experience reputational damage, regulatory compliance violations, and financial losses due to unauthorized access or data breaches resulting from this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-2673 should prioritize immediate patching of affected BaserCMS installations to version 1.6.13.2 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures, including the use of proper output encoding for all user-controllable data before rendering in web pages. The defense-in-depth approach should include web application firewalls, content security policies, and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing proper access controls, monitoring user activities, and conducting regular security training for administrators can help reduce the overall risk exposure. Organizations should also consider adopting the ATT&CK framework's approach to threat modeling, specifically focusing on the web application attack patterns that leverage XSS vulnerabilities to better understand and defend against such threats. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust security practices throughout the application lifecycle to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.