CVE-2015-0553 in WebsiteBaker
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in admin/pages/modify.php in WebsiteBaker 2.8.3 SP3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the page_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2022
The CVE-2015-0553 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in WebsiteBaker 2.8.3 SP3 that exposes the administrative interface to remote code execution risks. This vulnerability specifically affects the admin/pages/modify.php script, which serves as a core component for page management within the content management system. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of the page_id parameter, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors seeking to compromise the system's integrity. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as the insertion of malicious code into web applications, making it a fundamental security weakness that undermines user trust and system confidentiality.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing crafted script code within the page_id parameter and delivers it to unsuspecting administrators or users with administrative privileges. When the vulnerable script processes this parameter without proper sanitization, the injected code executes within the context of the victim's browser session, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized administrative actions, or redirect users to malicious sites. This type of attack leverages the principle that web applications should never trust user input and must properly validate all data before processing or rendering it. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in input validation practices that directly violates security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and other industry standards.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0553 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive administrative functions and user data. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could modify or delete content, create new user accounts with elevated privileges, or establish persistent backdoors within the website infrastructure. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the vulnerability exists within the administrative modification interface, which typically requires elevated privileges and contains sensitive system configuration data. This creates a high-risk scenario where a single compromised administrative session could lead to complete system takeover, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where WebsiteBaker serves as a critical business platform.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0553 should focus on immediate patching and input validation improvements. Organizations should prioritize updating to WebsiteBaker versions that address this vulnerability, as the official patches typically include proper parameter sanitization and input validation mechanisms. Additionally, implementing proper output encoding and Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Security teams should conduct thorough code reviews to identify similar input validation gaps in other parts of the application and implement automated input sanitization libraries. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and the need for web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious parameter values. This case exemplifies how a single input validation flaw can create cascading security risks, emphasizing the critical need for secure coding practices and regular vulnerability assessments as recommended by the ATT&CK framework's defensive strategies.