CVE-2014-2729 in Ektron CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in content.aspx in Ektron CMS 8.7 before 8.7.0.055 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the category0 parameter, which is not properly handled when displaying the Subjects tab in the View Properties menu option.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2026
The CVE-2014-2729 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Ektron CMS 8.7 versions prior to 8.7.0.055, specifically affecting the content.aspx page within the application's user interface. This vulnerability resides in the handling of the category0 parameter when the Subjects tab is displayed through the View Properties menu option, creating a persistent security gap that enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Ektron CMS application, particularly when processing user-supplied data through the category0 parameter. When an authenticated user navigates to the View Properties menu and selects the Subjects tab, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the category0 parameter value before rendering it in the web page output. This improper handling creates a direct pathway for attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the victim's browser context, bypassing standard security controls and session management mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform a range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. An authenticated attacker with access to the CMS system can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges or compromise other users within the same administrative environment. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the content management system, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive content, user accounts, and system configurations. The persistent nature of the flaw means that once exploited, the malicious scripts remain active until the affected page is reloaded or the session ends, creating ongoing security risks for all users who encounter the compromised content.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patch version 8.7.0.055, which addresses the input validation issues in the category0 parameter handling. Additional protective measures include implementing proper input sanitization at multiple layers of the application, configuring web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious parameter values, and conducting thorough security testing of all user input fields. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and secure coding practices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and control through web interfaces and session management attacks, with potential for lateral movement within the compromised CMS environment and broader network infiltration.
The security implications of CVE-2014-2729 underscore the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly within content management systems where user-generated content processing is prevalent. Organizations should establish comprehensive security testing protocols that include dynamic analysis of user input handling, regular patch management procedures, and continuous monitoring for suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor input validation gaps can create significant security risks in enterprise content management solutions, emphasizing the need for robust security controls throughout the software development lifecycle and regular security assessments of deployed applications.