CVE-2014-4195 in ZeroCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in zero_view_article.php in ZeroCMS 1.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the article_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4195 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the ZeroCMS 1.0 content management system, specifically affecting the zero_view_article.php script. This weakness resides in the application's failure to properly sanitize user input parameters, creating an exploitable condition that enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability manifests through the article_id parameter, which serves as the primary attack vector for injecting malicious payloads into the web application's output.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the ZeroCMS framework. When the application processes the article_id parameter without proper sanitization measures, it directly incorporates user-supplied data into the HTTP response without adequate escaping or encoding. This creates a scenario where an attacker can craft malicious URLs containing script tags or other HTML elements that get executed when legitimate users view the affected page. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage this weakness to execute malicious code within victim browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable more sophisticated attack chains including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. An attacker could construct payloads that steal cookies, modify page content, or redirect users to phishing pages that appear legitimate. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require any local system access, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that serve a wide user base. The vulnerability affects all users of ZeroCMS 1.0 who interact with the article viewing functionality, potentially compromising the integrity of the entire content management system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective immediate fix involves sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters, particularly those used in dynamic content generation, through proper HTML entity encoding before rendering. Developers should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and employ proper input validation routines that reject or sanitize potentially malicious content. Additionally, upgrading to a patched version of ZeroCMS or migrating to a more secure content management system represents a long-term solution. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, particularly those addressing input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in their web applications, as this flaw could potentially be exploited in combination with other weaknesses to achieve more significant security breaches.