CVE-2015-1041 in e107
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in e107_admin/filemanager.php in e107 1.0.4 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the e107_files/ file path in the QUERY_STRING.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1041 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the e107 content management system version 1.0.4, specifically affecting the filemanager.php administrative component. This vulnerability resides in the way the application processes user input through the query string parameter containing file paths in the e107_files/ directory structure. 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 technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the filemanager.php script. When the application processes the QUERY_STRING parameter containing the e107_files/ file path, it fails to properly escape or filter the input before rendering it in the web page output. This allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that get executed when legitimate users browse the affected administrative interface. The vulnerability specifically impacts the file manager functionality where file paths are displayed or processed, creating an attack surface where user-controllable input directly influences the rendered HTML content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform various malicious activities within the administrative context. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, deface the website, or escalate privileges within the CMS. The remote nature of the attack means that no local system access is required, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding, and represents a classic example of reflected XSS where the malicious payload is reflected back to the user through the application's response.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers may leverage the XSS to execute malicious scripts that could further compromise the system. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, particularly within administrative interfaces where elevated privileges and sensitive data are handled. Organizations using e107 1.0.4 should immediately implement mitigations including input sanitization, output encoding, and application-level firewall rules to prevent exploitation attempts. The recommended remediation includes upgrading to a patched version of e107, implementing proper parameter validation, and conducting comprehensive security testing of all administrative components to identify similar vulnerabilities in the application's codebase.