CVE-2011-4827 in V-CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in AutoSec Tools V-CMS 1.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) p parameter to redirect.php and (2) box parameter to includes/TrueColorPicker/index.php, which is not properly handled in includes/TrueColorPicker/class.TrueColorPicker.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4827 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within AutoSec Tools V-CMS 1.0, specifically affecting the web application's input validation mechanisms. This vulnerability resides in the content management system's handling of user-supplied parameters, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts within the context of legitimate user sessions. The flaw manifests in two distinct attack vectors that exploit the application's failure to sanitize user input properly, demonstrating a fundamental weakness in the application's security architecture that directly violates established secure coding practices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through two specific parameter injection points that bypass the application's input sanitization controls. The first vector involves the p parameter in redirect.php, while the second targets the box parameter within includes/TrueColorPicker/index.php. Both attack paths ultimately converge in the class.TrueColorPicker.php file where the unsanitized input is processed and subsequently rendered within the web application's response. This design flaw creates a persistent XSS vulnerability because the application fails to implement proper output encoding or validation of user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting weaknesses, and demonstrates the classic pattern of insufficient input validation leading to unauthorized script execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially compromise user data. Remote attackers can leverage these vulnerabilities to inject malicious scripts that execute within the victim's browser, enabling them to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it affects core application functionality components including redirection mechanisms and color picker interfaces, which are commonly used features that may be accessed by legitimate users. This vulnerability essentially provides a backdoor for attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to complete compromise of user accounts and unauthorized access to sensitive application data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address the root cause of insufficient input validation and implement comprehensive security controls to prevent malicious data injection. Organizations should immediately implement proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase, particularly focusing on the identified parameter handling points. The recommended approach includes implementing strict parameter validation using allowlists, employing proper HTML encoding for dynamic content, and establishing robust input filtering mechanisms that prevent malicious payloads from being processed. Additionally, the application should be updated to remove or patch the vulnerable code sections, with particular attention to the TrueColorPicker class implementation. Security measures should also include regular code reviews, automated vulnerability scanning, and implementation of web application firewalls to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in web application development, as outlined in various security frameworks and standards including those referenced in the ATT&CK framework's web application exploitation techniques.