CVE-2013-5317 in RiteCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in RiteCMS 1.0.0 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the mode parameter to cms/index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2025
The CVE-2013-5317 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in RiteCMS version 1.0.0 that exposes web applications to persistent malicious code injection attacks. This vulnerability specifically affects the content management system's handling of user input through the mode parameter within the cms/index.php script, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code in the context of other users' browsers. The flaw demonstrates a classic input validation failure that allows malicious actors to bypass security controls and compromise the integrity of web applications. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a direct descendant of input sanitization failures. The vulnerability operates within the ATT&CK framework under the T1566 technique category, specifically targeting the initial access phase through malicious web content delivery.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated user to leverage the mode parameter manipulation within the cms/index.php endpoint. When the application processes this parameter without proper sanitization or encoding, it directly incorporates user-supplied data into dynamically generated web pages. This creates an environment where malicious scripts can execute in the context of legitimate users who view the affected content, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further compromise of the web application. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires only authentication, making it accessible to users with legitimate access privileges who may not be authorized to perform such actions. The flaw essentially creates a trust boundary violation where the application fails to validate or sanitize user-provided parameters before incorporating them into rendered web content.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling sophisticated attack chains that could lead to complete system compromise. An attacker with authenticated access could craft malicious payloads that persist across multiple user sessions, making the attack vector particularly dangerous for applications handling sensitive information. The vulnerability's presence in a content management system increases the attack surface significantly since CMS platforms often serve as central repositories for user-generated content and administrative functions. Organizations using RiteCMS 1.0.0 face potential data breaches, unauthorized access to administrative functions, and the possibility of establishing persistent backdoors through the injected malicious code. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to perform phishing attacks or redirect users to malicious sites, effectively leveraging the trusted application as a conduit for further exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-5317 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data processing pipeline. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user-provided input parameters, particularly those used in dynamic content generation, through proper encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding or context-appropriate sanitization. Organizations should implement a comprehensive input validation framework that rejects or escapes potentially malicious content before it reaches the application's rendering layer. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts even if the vulnerability is exploited. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar input validation issues throughout the application codebase, while application developers should follow secure coding practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices. Additionally, maintaining updated application versions and implementing proper access controls can significantly reduce the attack surface and prevent unauthorized users from exploiting authenticated vulnerabilities like this one.