CVE-2014-3786 in Pixie
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the contact module (admin/modules/contact.php) in Pixie CMS 1.04 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) uemail or (2) subject parameter in the Contact form to contact/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3786 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Pixie CMS 1.04 contact module, specifically targeting the administrative interface at admin/modules/contact.php. This security weakness exposes the system to remote code execution risks through malicious web script injection, potentially allowing attackers to compromise user sessions and manipulate content displayed to other administrators or visitors. The vulnerability affects the contact form functionality where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users, creating an exploitable vector for malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of the victim's browser.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the contact module's processing logic. Attackers can exploit this flaw by submitting malicious payloads through the uemail or subject parameters, which are then stored in the system and subsequently rendered without proper sanitization. This particular weakness aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities arising from inadequate input validation and output encoding. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the web application's user interface rendering components where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into HTML output without proper security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, deface the website, steal sensitive administrative credentials, or redirect users to malicious domains. When an administrator or authenticated user views the contact module interface, the malicious code executes within their browser context, creating persistent security threats. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which describes social engineering attacks through malicious web content, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage. This flaw particularly affects organizations using outdated CMS versions where patch management processes may be inadequate, leaving systems vulnerable to exploitation by threat actors who actively scan for such known vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding measures within the contact module's codebase. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied input undergoes strict sanitization before being processed or displayed, implementing proper HTML escaping techniques and employing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. The recommended remediation includes updating to the latest stable version of Pixie CMS where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation controls. Additionally, organizations should implement regular security assessments, maintain up-to-date patch management procedures, and establish secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other application components. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious input patterns and anomalous user behavior within administrative interfaces to identify potential exploitation attempts.