CVE-2014-4737 in Textpattern
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Textpattern CMS before 4.5.7 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the PATH_INFO to setup/index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2024
The CVE-2014-4737 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Textpattern Content Management System versions prior to 4.5.7. This vulnerability exists within the application's handling of the PATH_INFO parameter when processing requests through the setup/index.php endpoint. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft. The vulnerability specifically affects the CMS setup process where input validation is insufficient, allowing malicious payloads to be injected and executed when the application processes the PATH_INFO variable.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output encoding within the Textpattern CMS setup script. When the application receives a request containing a PATH_INFO parameter, it fails to properly validate or escape the input before processing it in the setup/index.php file. This creates an opportunity for attackers to craft malicious URLs that include script code within the PATH_INFO portion of the request. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize input, which directly enables cross-site scripting attacks by allowing attacker-controlled data to be interpreted as executable code by web browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to user sessions and sensitive data within the CMS environment. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to steal cookies, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, or redirect victims to malicious sites. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it targets the setup process, which may be accessible to unauthorized users attempting to install or reinstall the CMS. This vulnerability could enable attackers to gain administrative privileges or compromise the entire CMS installation. The threat is further amplified by the fact that attackers can leverage this vulnerability without requiring authentication, making it a significant risk for any Textpattern installation running vulnerable versions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4737 should prioritize immediate patching to Textpattern CMS version 4.5.7 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should also implement proper input sanitization measures at the application level, ensuring that all PATH_INFO parameters are properly escaped before processing. Network-level defenses such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by filtering malicious PATH_INFO values, though these should not replace proper application-level fixes. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in setup requests or attempts to access the setup/index.php endpoint. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and output encoding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly in the context of web application security controls that prevent injection attacks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues in other CMS components or custom applications that may be susceptible to similar cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.