CVE-2014-4036 in ImpressCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in modules/system/admin.php in ImpressCMS 1.3.6.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the query parameter in a listimg action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2019
The cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4036 resides within the ImpressCMS content management system version 1.3.6.1, specifically within the modules/system/admin.php file. This flaw represents a classic server-side input validation failure that enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes the query parameter during a listimg action, failing to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input before rendering it in the web response.
This XSS vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification of CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. The attack vector involves remote exploitation where an attacker can craft malicious URLs containing script payloads in the query parameter, which are then executed when unsuspecting users navigate to these crafted links. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites, making it particularly dangerous for administrative interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant within the context of web application security and follows the ATT&CK framework's T1059.001 technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's administrative interface, potentially allowing them to escalate privileges, modify content, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire CMS system, as it can be leveraged to compromise the administrative session of legitimate users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4036 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The recommended approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through strict validation routines that reject or escape potentially malicious content before processing. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution. The fix should include proper parameter validation in the modules/system/admin.php file, specifically addressing the listimg action's handling of the query parameter to ensure that all input is properly escaped before being rendered in HTML output. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security scanning to detect similar vulnerabilities in other components of their web infrastructure.