CVE-2015-1177 in Exponent
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Exponent CMS 2.3.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2022
The CVE-2015-1177 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Exponent CMS version 2.3.2, a content management system widely used for web application deployment. This vulnerability resides within the application's input validation mechanisms and allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into web pages viewed by other users. The flaw specifically affects how the system processes user-supplied data in certain contexts, creating an opportunity for attackers to execute malicious scripts within the browser environment of legitimate users. The vulnerability impacts the core security model of the CMS by undermining the trust boundary between user inputs and the application's output rendering process.
Technical exploitation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when user input containing malicious script code is not properly sanitized or escaped before being rendered in web pages. The flaw typically manifests in areas where the CMS accepts user-generated content such as comments, form fields, or dynamic content parameters without adequate validation. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when executed, can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability's classification as a persistent XSS issue means that the malicious code can be stored on the server and executed whenever other users access the affected pages, making it particularly dangerous for multi-user environments where content is frequently shared.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1177 extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to compromise entire user sessions and gain unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege by allowing unauthenticated attackers to execute code within the context of authenticated users. The attack surface includes not only regular users but also administrators who might be tricked into viewing malicious content, leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability's presence in Exponent CMS 2.3.2 creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple user sessions and potentially affect database integrity through session hijacking attacks. This flaw aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a fundamental weakness in input validation and output encoding practices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1177 require immediate implementation of proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms throughout the CMS framework. Organizations should implement comprehensive content security policies that prevent script execution in user-controllable contexts, utilize proper HTML escaping techniques, and ensure all user inputs are validated against strict whitelists of acceptable characters. The recommended approach includes upgrading to patched versions of Exponent CMS, implementing web application firewalls with XSS detection capabilities, and conducting regular security audits of user input handling processes. Security measures should also incorporate proper session management practices including secure cookie attributes and regular session token rotation. These defenses align with ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation through web application vulnerabilities. Organizations must also establish robust monitoring systems to detect suspicious user activity patterns and implement regular security training for administrators to recognize potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect web applications from persistent threats.