CVE-2011-5159 in Geeklog
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in admin/configuration.php in Geeklog before 1.7.1sr1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the sub_group parameter, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-4942.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2017
The CVE-2011-5159 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Geeklog content management system prior to version 1.7.1sr1. This security weakness specifically affects the admin/configuration.php component and enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code through manipulation of the sub_group parameter. The vulnerability operates as a classic XSS attack vector, where malicious input is not properly sanitized or validated before being processed and rendered within the web application's administrative interface. Unlike CVE-2011-4942 which affected a different parameter, this vulnerability focuses exclusively on the sub_group input field within the configuration management module, making it a distinct yet equally dangerous security flaw.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input containing script code and submits it through the sub_group parameter in the admin/configuration.php page. When the application processes this input without adequate sanitization measures, the malicious code gets stored and subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsers who access the affected administrative interface. This creates a persistent XSS attack scenario where the injected code can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or modifying administrative settings. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the Geeklog application's administrative configuration handling code.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-5159 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with potential access to administrative functions and sensitive system information. Successful exploitation could allow malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to the CMS administration panel, potentially leading to complete system compromise through privilege escalation or data manipulation. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire Geeklog installation, as attackers can use the XSS payload to establish persistent access or exfiltrate sensitive data from the administrative interface. This type of vulnerability particularly threatens web applications that handle sensitive configuration data or user management functions, making the administrative interface a prime target for exploitation.
Security professionals should address this vulnerability through immediate patching of the affected Geeklog versions, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, and establishing comprehensive monitoring for suspicious administrative activities. The mitigation strategy must include validating all user-supplied input through strict sanitization processes and employing Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution. Organizations using Geeklog or similar CMS platforms should also implement regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their web applications. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which defines Cross-site Scripting as a fundamental web application security weakness, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting languages and T1566 for malicious code injection, highlighting the need for layered defensive measures against such persistent threats.