CVE-2014-1603 in GetSimple
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in GetSimple CMS 3.3.1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) param parameter to admin/load.php or (2) user, (3) email, or (4) name parameter in a Save Settings action to admin/settings.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2025
The CVE-2014-1603 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in GetSimple CMS version 3.3.1 that exposes the content management system to remote code execution through malicious web script injection. This vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interfaces of the platform, creating pathways for attackers to manipulate user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. The flaw manifests in two distinct attack vectors within the administrative backend, making it particularly dangerous as it affects multiple entry points for privilege escalation and data manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the GetSimple CMS administrative components. Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by manipulating the param parameter in the admin/load.php endpoint or by injecting malicious content through user, email, or name parameters during Save Settings operations in admin/settings.php. These parameters are processed without adequate sanitization measures, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness that occurs when an application incorporates untrusted data into web pages without proper validation or escaping, resulting in execution of unintended code.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1603 extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal administrative credentials, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the compromised CMS environment. When exploited, these vulnerabilities can lead to complete system compromise, unauthorized content modification, data exfiltration, and service disruption. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it targets the administrative interface where sensitive configuration settings and user management functions reside, potentially allowing attackers to modify core system parameters or manipulate user access controls. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers the use of scripting languages for execution, specifically targeting web application interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of GetSimple CMS to version 3.3.2 or later, which addresses the input validation flaws in both administrative endpoints. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures at the application level, including proper HTML escaping and validation of all user-supplied parameters before processing. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though they should not replace proper application-level fixes. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous administrative activities, unusual parameter patterns, and potential injection attempts in web server logs. Regular security assessments and penetration testing of CMS environments are essential to identify similar vulnerabilities in other administrative interfaces. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing principle of least privilege for administrative accounts and maintaining up-to-date security patches across all web application components. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to mitigate the impact of potential XSS exploitation attempts.