CVE-2015-1562 in Saurus
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Saurus CMS 4.7.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) search parameter to admin/user_management.php, (2) data_search parameter to /admin/profile_data.php, or (3) filter parameter to error_log.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1562 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Saurus CMS version 4.7.0, demonstrating a fundamental weakness in input validation and output sanitization mechanisms. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities where insufficient validation of user-supplied data allows malicious scripts to be executed in the context of other users' browsers. The flaw exists within the content management system's administrative interfaces, creating a pathway for remote attackers to inject malicious code through carefully crafted parameters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through three distinct attack vectors within the administrative components of the CMS. The first vector targets the search parameter in admin/user_management.php, where user input is directly incorporated into the response without proper sanitization or encoding. The second vector exploits the data_search parameter in /admin/profile_data.php, while the third targets the filter parameter in error_log.php. All three pathways demonstrate a common pattern where user-supplied input is reflected back to the browser without adequate protection mechanisms, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of authenticated administrative sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate privileges and potentially gain complete control over the CMS administrative interface. When an administrator interacts with maliciously crafted URLs containing the injected scripts, the attacker can execute code with the privileges of the logged-in user, potentially leading to unauthorized modifications, data theft, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects administrative interfaces, meaning that successful exploitation could result in persistent backdoors or unauthorized access to sensitive system configurations.
The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that these vulnerabilities exist within core administrative functions that are likely to be accessed by legitimate users with elevated privileges. This creates a scenario where an attacker who can inject malicious code into these parameters can effectively impersonate administrators and perform actions such as modifying user accounts, accessing confidential data, or altering system configurations. The vulnerability's persistence is enhanced by the fact that the injected scripts can remain active until the page is reloaded or the session expires, providing attackers with extended periods of access.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all user-supplied parameters. The recommended approach includes implementing strict sanitization of all input data, particularly within administrative interfaces where the risk of privilege escalation is highest. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Additionally, regular security audits of web applications should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, with the implementation of automated testing tools to detect XSS flaws in input handling. The remediation process must also include proper parameter validation, escaping of special characters, and the adoption of secure coding practices that prevent user input from being directly reflected in web responses without proper sanitization, aligning with the defensive measures recommended by the OWASP Top Ten project and the MITRE ATT&CK framework for web application security.