CVE-2014-1855 in Seo Panel
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Seo Panel before 3.5.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) capcheck parameter to directories.php or (2) keyword parameter to proxy.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1855 represents a critical security flaw in Seo Panel versions prior to 3.5.0, specifically manifesting as multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that expose the application to remote code execution risks. This vulnerability classifies under CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise web applications through client-side exploitation techniques. The flaw exists within the input validation mechanisms of the Seo Panel platform, which fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through two distinct attack vectors that exploit different file processing endpoints within the application. The first vector targets the capcheck parameter within the directories.php file, while the second vector exploits the keyword parameter in proxy.php. Both attack paths demonstrate the application's insufficient sanitization of user input, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content that executes within the context of other users' browsers. This cross-site scripting exposure enables attackers to perform session hijacking, deface web pages, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2014-1855 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the Seo Panel application and its users' browsing sessions. The vulnerability affects all users of affected versions, making it particularly dangerous for applications that handle sensitive SEO data, competitive intelligence, or user authentication information. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to the application, potentially escalating privileges or using the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability's remote nature means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system and can be executed from anywhere on the internet.
The attack surface for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, specifically targeting the credential access and execution phases through web application exploitation. Organizations using affected versions of Seo Panel face significant risk of unauthorized access to their SEO data, user accounts, and potentially sensitive business information. The remediation process requires immediate patching to version 3.5.0 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Additionally, implementing proper output encoding, content security policies, and regular security assessments can help mitigate similar vulnerabilities in the future. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability scans to identify all instances of the affected software and ensure that proper web application firewalls are deployed to detect and block malicious input attempts.