CVE-2014-4849 in FoeCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in msg.php in FoeCMS allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) e or (2) r parameter.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4849 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the FoeCMS content management system, specifically affecting the msg.php script. This vulnerability exposes the application to remote code execution risks where malicious actors can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response. The flaw manifests through two distinct parameter injection points identified as 'e' and 'r', both of which lack proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. The affected component operates as a messaging interface within the CMS, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise user sessions or redirect victims to malicious content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamic web page content. When the msg.php script processes the 'e' or 'r' parameters without adequate validation, it directly echoes the input values into the HTML response without appropriate encoding or filtering. This primitive output handling creates an environment where attackers can embed malicious JavaScript payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, deface the website, redirect users to phishing sites, or harvest sensitive information from authenticated users. Since the vulnerability affects core messaging functionality, it could be exploited to compromise user communications within the CMS, affecting administrators and content creators who rely on the messaging system. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require local access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that serve a broad user base. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access patterns or conduct more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft through session manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4849 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The immediate solution involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through proper encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding before rendering any dynamic content. Developers should implement strict parameter validation that rejects or filters out potentially malicious input patterns, particularly those containing script tags or common XSS payload indicators. The application should also employ Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities and prevent unauthorized code injection. Additionally, regular security audits and input validation testing should be integrated into the development lifecycle to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases. Organizations using FoeCMS should prioritize updating to patched versions of the software and implementing proper web application firewall rules to detect and block suspicious input patterns targeting this specific vulnerability.