CVE-2015-1603 in Adminsystems
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Adminsystems CMS before 4.0.2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) page parameter to index.php or (2) id parameter in a users_users action to asys/site/system.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1603 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in Adminsystems CMS versions prior to 4.0.2, exposing systems to remote code execution risks through web script injection. This vulnerability manifests in two distinct attack vectors that exploit input validation flaws in the content management system's handling of user-supplied parameters. The first vector targets the page parameter within the index.php file, while the second exploits the id parameter during users_users actions in asys/site/system.php, creating multiple pathways for malicious actors to compromise affected systems.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms within the CMS framework, specifically failing to properly validate and escape user-controllable data before rendering it in web responses. This inadequate sanitization process allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute within the context of authenticated users' browsers, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple user sessions. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive credentials, and potentially escalate privileges within the CMS environment. Remote attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that, when executed by unsuspecting users, could redirect them to phishing sites or execute commands on behalf of the authenticated user. This threat model aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering attacks through malicious web content, and T1071, which addresses application layer protocol usage for command and control communications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1603 require immediate implementation of comprehensive input validation measures, including strict parameter filtering and output encoding for all user-supplied data. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to Adminsystems CMS version 4.0.2 or later, which includes proper sanitization mechanisms and enhanced security controls. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies, deploying web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities. The fix addresses the root cause by ensuring that all input parameters undergo rigorous validation before being processed or rendered, thereby preventing malicious scripts from being executed in user contexts and maintaining the integrity of the CMS application layer.