CVE-2014-9599 in b2evolution
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the filemanager in b2evolution before 5.2.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the fm_filter parameter to blogs/admin.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2022
The CVE-2014-9599 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the filemanager component of b2evolution content management system versions prior to 5.2.1. This vulnerability exists within the administrative interface of the platform, specifically in the blogs/admin.php script where the fm_filter parameter is processed without adequate input validation or output sanitization. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers who access the compromised administrative interface. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages, creating an avenue for persistent code injection attacks that can compromise user sessions and potentially lead to full system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input containing script tags or HTML code and submits it through the fm_filter parameter in the blogs/admin.php URL. When the vulnerable application processes this input and displays it in the filemanager interface without proper encoding or sanitization, the injected code executes in the browser context of authenticated users. This allows attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the application's administrative environment. The vulnerability is classified as a classic reflected XSS attack pattern where user input flows directly into the application's output without proper context-appropriate escaping mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous in administrative contexts where users have elevated privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9599 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions and user data. When administrators or privileged users access the compromised filemanager interface, they become vulnerable to session manipulation attacks that can lead to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to modify or delete content, create new administrative accounts, access confidential data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the application environment. The vulnerability also aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the 'Command and Control' and 'Credential Access' tactics, as it provides an initial foothold for lateral movement and privilege escalation within the target environment. Organizations using affected versions of b2evolution face significant risk of data breaches and unauthorized system access, particularly in environments where administrative users regularly interact with the filemanager component.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9599 focus primarily on immediate application updates and input validation improvements. The most effective solution involves upgrading to b2evolution version 5.2.1 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms that prevent XSS attacks. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers including client-side and server-side filtering, employing proper HTML escaping techniques when rendering user-supplied content. Security headers such as Content Security Policy (CSP) should be implemented to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, with particular attention to parameters that handle user input in administrative interfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in CWE guidelines, specifically CWE-79 which addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and emphasizes the need for consistent input validation and output encoding throughout application development lifecycles.