CVE-2014-3974 in AuraCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in filemanager.php in AuraCMS 3.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the viewdir parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2025
The CVE-2014-3974 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the AuraCMS content management system version 3.0 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the filemanager.php component and specifically targets the viewdir parameter, which serves as an entry point for attackers to inject malicious code into the web application. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and output sanitization within the CMS architecture, creating a persistent security risk for organizations utilizing this software.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate parameter handling within the filemanager.php script. When the viewdir parameter is processed without proper sanitization, malicious payloads can be executed in the context of authenticated users' browsers. This XSS vulnerability operates at the client-side level, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code or embed malicious HTML content that persists in the application's interface. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious URLs containing script tags or other malicious payloads that get executed when users navigate to affected pages.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-3974 extends beyond simple code injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, or redirect victims to malicious websites. Given that AuraCMS was a widely used open source content management system, the vulnerability could have affected numerous websites and organizations that relied on this platform for their web presence. The attack vector requires minimal privileges as it operates over standard web protocols, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that do not implement proper input validation mechanisms. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers the use of scripting languages for execution, particularly in web-based environments where user input is not properly validated.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigation strategies including input validation, output encoding, and the implementation of Content Security Policies to prevent unauthorized script execution. The most effective remediation involves updating to a patched version of AuraCMS or implementing proper parameter sanitization within the filemanager.php script. Security measures should include filtering user-supplied input, implementing proper HTML escaping for all dynamic content, and establishing robust web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security audits of their web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components that might be susceptible to cross-site scripting attacks. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect web applications from persistent threats.