CVE-2011-5220 in PHP-SCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in templates/default/Admin/Login.html in PHP-SCMS 1.6.8 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the lang parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-5220 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the PHP-SCMS content management system version 1.6.8 and earlier. This vulnerability exists in the administrative login template file located at templates/default/Admin/Login.html, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to compromise the system. The flaw specifically manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the lang parameter in the index.php script, creating an avenue for persistent malicious code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the PHP-SCMS framework. When a user submits a request containing malicious content in the lang parameter, the system processes this input without sufficient sanitization measures, allowing the attacker to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code. This injection occurs directly within the administrative login interface, where the unvalidated parameter is rendered back to the user without proper HTML escaping or encoding. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or encoding, allowing attackers to execute scripts in the victim's browser context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the capability to establish persistent access to the administrative interface. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious scripts that capture login credentials, redirect users to phishing sites, or execute additional attacks such as session hijacking or privilege escalation. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it targets the administrative login page, which is a critical system component. According to ATT&CK framework category T1566, this vulnerability aligns with initial access techniques through malicious inputs, while T1071.001 covers the use of web protocols for command and control communications that could be facilitated through such XSS payloads.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise and can be accomplished through standard web application penetration testing methodologies. Attackers typically need only to craft a malicious URL containing the XSS payload and deliver it to an administrator or authorized user who would then inadvertently execute the malicious code within their browser session. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.6.8, indicating a prolonged period during which the flaw remained unaddressed. Organizations utilizing this CMS version face significant risk of compromise, as the vulnerability provides a direct path to administrative privileges and system control. The remediation approach involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, specifically ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are sanitized before being rendered in the application interface. This includes applying context-specific encoding for HTML, JavaScript, and URL parameters to prevent malicious code execution. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies as additional protective measures to mitigate the risk of such vulnerabilities being exploited in production environments.