CVE-2014-2860 in Commonspot Content Server
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in PaperThin CommonSpot before 7.0.2 and 8.x before 8.0.3 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted HTTP request to a (1) ColdFusion or (2) JavaScript component.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2026
The CVE-2014-2860 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting PaperThin CommonSpot content management systems across multiple versions. This vulnerability exists in both the 7.0.x series before 7.0.2 and the 8.x series before 8.0.3, creating a widespread impact across organizations utilizing this web application platform. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the system's request handling processes, specifically affecting ColdFusion and JavaScript components that process user-supplied data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into dynamic web content. Attackers can craft malicious HTTP requests containing script payloads that bypass the application's security controls, allowing them to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content directly into the victim's browser context. The vulnerability affects both ColdFusion server-side components and JavaScript client-side processing elements, creating multiple attack vectors that can be exploited simultaneously. This dual-component exposure significantly increases the attack surface and makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged through different application layers.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2860 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within user browsers and potentially escalate privileges within the application environment. Successful exploitation can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and the installation of persistent malware on affected systems. Organizations using PaperThin CommonSpot may experience unauthorized access to sensitive information, disruption of services, and potential compliance violations, particularly in regulated industries where data protection is paramount. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it without requiring physical access to the target network, making it particularly attractive for large-scale attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to version 7.0.2 or 8.0.3, as these releases contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures, including strict sanitization of all user-supplied data before processing, and enforce proper output encoding for dynamic content generation. Network-based security controls such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers, while regular security assessments should verify that no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the application stack. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, 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 code injection and credential access, potentially enabling adversaries to establish persistent access and escalate their privileges within the compromised environment.