CVE-2014-8992 in Revolution
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in manager/assets/fileapi/FileAPI.flash.image.swf in MODX Revolution 2.3.2-pl allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the callback parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2022
The CVE-2014-8992 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in MODX Revolution 2.3.2-pl, specifically within the FileAPI.flash.image.swf component located in the manager/assets/fileapi/ directory. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms applied to the callback parameter, which is processed by the Flash-based image handling component. The flaw exists in the web application's file upload and processing functionality where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into dynamic content without proper security measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the inherent characteristics of Flash-based applications and their interaction with web browsers. When a user uploads files through the MODX manager interface, the FileAPI.flash.image.swf component processes the uploaded content and expects a callback parameter to handle asynchronous operations. However, the application fails to sanitize or validate this parameter before incorporating it into the generated HTML output. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious callback values containing JavaScript code or HTML tags that will execute in the context of other users' browsers who access the affected page.
This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification of CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. The attack vector allows remote code execution within the victim's browser context, enabling attackers to perform actions such as stealing session cookies, modifying page content, redirecting users to malicious sites, or executing arbitrary commands on behalf of authenticated users. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as it can lead to complete compromise of user sessions and potential lateral movement within the application environment.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are particularly severe for MODX installations as it affects the administrative interface where privileged users perform critical operations. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to the content management system, modify website content, create new user accounts, or even escalate privileges within the application. The attack requires no special privileges or authentication to initiate, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the vulnerable MODX installation's manager interface.
Security mitigations for CVE-2014-8992 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms for all user-supplied parameters. Organizations should immediately upgrade to MODX Revolution versions that have addressed this vulnerability, as the official patches include proper sanitization of the callback parameter and enhanced validation routines. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers, employing proper parameterized queries, and utilizing web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection against similar XSS vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include thorough code review of all Flash-based components and implementation of strict input validation for all parameters processed by server-side applications. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle, particularly for components that handle user input in dynamic contexts.