CVE-2015-1040 in BEdita
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the administrative backend in BEdita 3.4.0 allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) lrealname field in the editProfile form to index.php/home/profile; the (2) data[title] or (3) data[description] field in the addQuickItem form to index.php; the (4) "note text" field in the saveNote form to index.php/areas; or the (5) titleBEObject or (6) tagsArea field in the updateForm form to index.php/documents/view.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2015-1040 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in BEdita 3.4.0's administrative backend system. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting conditions where input data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. The flaw affects multiple forms within the administrative interface, creating a significant attack surface for authenticated users who can exploit these weaknesses to inject malicious scripts. The vulnerability exists in the core application logic where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into web responses without adequate validation or sanitization mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through several distinct injection points within the BEdita administrative interface. The first vector targets the lrealname field within the editProfile form accessed via index.php/home/profile, allowing attackers to inject malicious content that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The second and third vectors involve the data[title] and data[description] fields of the addQuickItem form at index.php, while the fourth vector targets the "note text" field in the saveNote form at index.php/areas. Additionally, the fifth and sixth vectors affect the titleBEObject and tagsArea fields within the updateForm form at index.php/documents/view. Each of these injection points represents a separate pathway for attackers to compromise the system's integrity and potentially escalate privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1040 is substantial as it enables authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts and HTML code within the administrative context. This vulnerability can lead to session hijacking, privilege escalation, data theft, and potential complete system compromise. Attackers could manipulate the administrative interface to modify content, create malicious links, or redirect users to phishing sites. The fact that this affects authenticated users means that attackers who have gained legitimate access to the system can leverage these vulnerabilities to expand their privileges and maintain persistent access. The vulnerability also creates a risk of data corruption and unauthorized modifications to the content management system's database.
Organizations using BEdita 3.4.0 should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied data entering the system. The recommended approach involves implementing proper output encoding for all dynamic content, particularly in administrative forms where user input is processed. Security measures should include implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts, regular security audits of input handling mechanisms, and comprehensive user access controls. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can use these XSS vectors to execute malicious scripts. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of privilege escalation through web application exploitation, making it a critical concern for organizations relying on web-based content management systems. The implementation of proper web application firewalls and regular security patching should be prioritized to address this vulnerability effectively.