CVE-2015-0918 in Sefrengo
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the administrative backend in Sefrengo before 1.6.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the searchterm parameter to backend/main.php.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0918 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the administrative backend of the Sefrengo content management system. This weakness exists in versions prior to 1.6.1 and specifically targets the backend/main.php endpoint where user input is improperly sanitized. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and output encoding of the searchterm parameter, which allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code directly into the administrative interface. This flaw fundamentally compromises the security of the administrative backend by enabling attackers to execute malicious code within the context of authenticated administrative sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which classifies cross-site scripting as a code injection flaw where untrusted data is embedded into web pages viewed by other users. The attack vector specifically exploits the lack of proper input sanitization in the searchterm parameter handling within the backend/main.php script. When administrators access the search functionality with maliciously crafted input, the injected scripts execute in their browser context, potentially leading to complete administrative compromise. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by remote attackers without direct system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can result in full administrative account takeover, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor establishment within the compromised system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can manipulate the administrative interface to modify content, create new user accounts, access sensitive data, and potentially escalate privileges to gain deeper system access. The persistent nature of XSS attacks means that once exploited, the malicious scripts can continue to execute whenever administrators access the affected interface, providing attackers with extended access to the system. This vulnerability also enables session hijacking and can be combined with other attack vectors to create more sophisticated exploitation scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0918 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should upgrade to Sefrengo version 1.6.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper parameter validation for all user inputs, particularly those used in administrative interfaces, is crucial. The security community recommends applying the principle of least privilege to administrative interfaces and implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent script execution. Regular security assessments and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the system. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for scripting and T1566.001 for spearphishing with malicious attachments, highlighting the need for comprehensive network monitoring and endpoint protection measures.