CVE-2012-3833 in Quick.CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the default index page in admin/ in Quick.CMS 4.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the p parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2019
The CVE-2012-3833 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Quick.CMS version 4.0, specifically affecting the administrative interface's default index page. This vulnerability resides within the admin/ directory structure and demonstrates a classic input validation weakness that enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets the administrative section of the content management system, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper sanitization of user-supplied input through the 'p' parameter in the URL. When administrators or authorized users navigate to the affected page and interact with the parameter, the application fails to properly validate or escape the input before rendering it within the web page context. This lack of input sanitization creates an environment where malicious payloads can be injected and subsequently executed by other users who access the compromised page. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, particularly when attackers leverage XSS to execute malicious scripts against other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a potential pathway for privilege escalation and persistent access to the administrative interface. An attacker could craft malicious payloads that steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or modify administrative settings to maintain long-term access to the system. The vulnerability affects the entire administrative ecosystem of Quick.CMS 4.0, potentially compromising all user accounts with administrative privileges and enabling unauthorized modifications to website content, user management, and system configurations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-3833 should prioritize immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in administrative interfaces, undergo rigorous sanitization before being processed or rendered within web pages. This includes implementing proper HTML entity encoding, using secure coding practices that prevent XSS vulnerabilities, and establishing comprehensive input validation routines. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and regular security audits of web applications can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of securing administrative interfaces and demonstrates how seemingly minor input validation flaws can create substantial security risks within content management systems.