CVE-2013-0730 in Newscoop
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Newscoop 4.x through 4.1.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors involving the (1) language parameter to application/modules/admin/controllers/LanguagesController.php or (2) user parameter to application/modules/admin/controllers/UserController.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2021
The vulnerability CVE-2013-0730 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Newscoop content management system versions 4.0 through 4.1.0. This vulnerability resides in the administrative interfaces of the platform and exposes the system to remote code execution through malicious web script injection. The flaw specifically targets two distinct input parameters within the administrative controller modules, creating pathways for attackers to manipulate the system's behavior and potentially compromise user sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the Newscoop administrative interfaces. When the language parameter is passed to the LanguagesController.php module or the user parameter is processed by the UserController.php module, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web responses. This insufficient sanitization creates an environment where malicious actors can inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, where the system fails to validate or escape user-controllable data that flows into web pages.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations using Newscoop for content management. Attackers can exploit these XSS flaws to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive authentication credentials, or redirect users to malicious websites. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as the administrative nature of the affected modules means that successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise. An attacker with access to the administrative interface could modify content, create new user accounts, or even install malicious code within the CMS environment. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on Newscoop for managing sensitive content or user data, as the administrative access points provide extensive control over the entire platform.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering attacks through malicious content injection. Security practitioners should implement comprehensive input validation controls and output encoding mechanisms to prevent the injection of malicious scripts. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Newscoop version 4.1.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address these vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing proper content security policies, using web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all user inputs and properly encoding data before rendering it in web contexts, as outlined in OWASP Top 10 security guidelines for preventing XSS attacks.