CVE-2014-4742 in Kajona
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in system/class_link.php in the System module (module_system) in Kajona before 4.5 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the systemid parameter in a mediaFolder action to index.php.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-4742 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Kajona content management system, specifically affecting versions prior to 4.5. This issue resides in the system/class_link.php file within the System module, making it a critical security concern for any organization utilizing this platform. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes the systemid parameter through the mediaFolder action in the index.php file, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the Kajona system's parameter handling mechanism. When the systemid parameter is passed through the mediaFolder action without proper sanitization, it allows attackers to inject malicious payloads directly into the application's response. This flaw aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where untrusted data is improperly integrated into web pages. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through a simple HTTP request manipulation, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal technical expertise to execute.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the compromised environment. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface the website content, or even execute more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft or privilege escalation within the CMS. The remote nature of this attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it a significant threat vector. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers command and scripting interpreter, and T1566, which addresses spearphishing with a link, as attackers can leverage this flaw to deliver malicious payloads through crafted web links.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4742 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Kajona installations to version 4.5 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and output sanitization. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input filtering mechanisms that validate and sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, particularly parameters that are used to construct dynamic content. Network-level defenses such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by monitoring for suspicious parameter patterns and blocking known malicious payloads. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application's codebase, while also implementing proper logging and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against common web application vulnerabilities.