CVE-2012-6621 in GetSimple
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in GetSimple CMS 3.1, 3.1.2, 3.2.3, and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) Email Address or (2) Custom Permalink Structure fields in admin/settings.php; (3) path parameter to admin/upload.php; (4) err parameter to admin/theme.php; (5) error parameter to admin/pages.php; or (6) success or (7) err parameter to admin/index.php.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2022
The CVE-2012-6621 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting multiple versions of GetSimple CMS including 3.1, 3.1.2, 3.2.3, and earlier releases. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the content management system's administrative interface, creating multiple attack vectors that could be exploited by remote threat actors. The flaw specifically targets several key administrative endpoints where user-provided data is directly incorporated into web responses without proper encoding or validation, making it particularly dangerous for systems that rely on this platform for content management and web publishing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through several distinct entry points within the administrative interface. The primary attack vectors include the Email Address and Custom Permalink Structure fields within admin/settings.php, where malicious input can be injected and executed when the page renders. Additionally, the path parameter in admin/upload.php, the err parameter in admin/theme.php, the error parameter in admin/pages.php, and the success or err parameters in admin/index.php all present opportunities for attackers to execute malicious scripts. These parameters typically receive user input from administrative actions and are processed without adequate sanitization, allowing attackers to inject javascript code or html elements that will execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic case of improper input validation where untrusted data flows directly into web output.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities within the compromised system. Remote attackers could potentially steal administrator session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, modify content, or even escalate privileges within the CMS environment. The administrative nature of the affected endpoints means that successful exploitation could provide attackers with full control over the content management system, potentially leading to complete compromise of the website's content and functionality. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on GetSimple CMS for managing their web presence, as the attack surface includes not just the content management features but also the underlying administrative controls that govern the system's operation. The impact is compounded by the fact that these vulnerabilities exist in widely used versions of the software, making them attractive targets for automated exploitation campaigns and increasing the potential attack surface across multiple organizations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through software updates to versions that address the identified XSS flaws. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all administrative interfaces, ensuring that any user-provided data is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while regular security audits of web applications should include thorough testing for similar input validation vulnerabilities. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability would be categorized under T1059.007 for script injection techniques, and organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Regular patch management procedures should be established to ensure that all web applications are kept up-to-date with the latest security fixes, and automated vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues across the entire web infrastructure. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in web application development, as these issues are preventable through proper security controls and defensive programming techniques.