CVE-2013-4880 in BigTree
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in core/admin/modules/developer/modules/views/add.php in BigTree CMS 4.0 RC2 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the module parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4880 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the BigTree CMS 4.0 RC2 and earlier versions, specifically affecting the administrative module development interface. This security weakness exists in the file core/admin/modules/developer/modules/views/add.php where user input is not properly sanitized before being processed and rendered within the web application's administrative environment. The vulnerability manifests when attackers exploit the module parameter, which serves as an entry point for injecting malicious scripts or HTML content directly into the CMS administration interface.
The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding. The vulnerability operates by allowing remote attackers to manipulate the module parameter through HTTP requests, bypassing the application's normal input validation mechanisms. When the CMS processes this unvalidated input, it incorporates the malicious payload directly into the web page output without proper HTML escaping or sanitization, creating a persistent XSS vector that can execute arbitrary scripts in the context of authenticated administrative sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive administrative functions within the BigTree CMS environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to administrative panels, modify content, inject malicious code into the application, or potentially escalate privileges to full administrative control. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require local system access or physical proximity to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing applications where the administrative interface may be accessible from untrusted networks.
This vulnerability demonstrates a classic failure in secure input handling and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks. The attack vector specifically targets the developer module interface, which suggests that the CMS administrators may be more likely to interact with this functionality, potentially increasing the risk of successful exploitation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1566.001 (Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment) as attackers could leverage this weakness to deliver malicious payloads through compromised administrative sessions. The vulnerability also relates to T1584.002 (Compromise Software Supply Chain) if the attacker can use the administrative access to modify core CMS components or inject malicious code into the application's codebase.
Organizations utilizing BigTree CMS versions prior to the patched release should implement immediate mitigation strategies including input validation, output encoding, and proper sanitization of all user-supplied data before processing. The recommended remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of BigTree CMS that implements proper parameter validation and HTML escaping mechanisms. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed within the application. Network segmentation and monitoring of administrative interfaces can also help detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts that may leverage this vulnerability.