CVE-2015-2351 in OpenCms
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Alkacon OpenCms 9.5.1 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) homelink parameter to system/modules/org.opencms.workplace.help/jsptemplates/help_head.jsp, (2) workplaceresource parameter to system/workplace/locales/en/help/index.html, (3) path parameter to system/workplace/views/admin/admin-main.jsp, (4) mode parameter to system/workplace/views/explorer/explorer_files.jsp, or (5) query parameter in a search action to system/modules/org.opencms.workplace.help/elements/search.jsp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2022
The CVE-2015-2351 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Alkacon OpenCms versions 9.5.1 and earlier, exposing multiple attack vectors that enable remote code execution through malicious web script injection. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting weaknesses in web applications, making it a fundamental security concern for any content management system handling user input. The flaw manifests through five distinct parameters across different OpenCms components, demonstrating a widespread failure in input sanitization and output encoding practices that are essential for preventing malicious script execution in web browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through five specific entry points within the OpenCms application framework. The first vector involves the homelink parameter in help_head.jsp which allows attackers to inject malicious scripts when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied home link values. The second vulnerability exists in the workplaceresource parameter within index.html, where unfiltered input can be rendered directly into HTML output. The third attack vector utilizes the path parameter in admin-main.jsp, while the fourth targets the mode parameter in explorer_files.jsp, both of which demonstrate insufficient validation of user-provided path and mode values. The fifth vulnerability occurs in the query parameter of search.jsp, where search functionality fails to properly escape user input before rendering search results. Each of these vectors represents a distinct opportunity for attackers to bypass security controls and execute malicious code within the context of a victim's browser session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the ability to establish persistent malicious presence within the OpenCms environment. An attacker could leverage these vulnerabilities to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, deface content management interfaces, or even escalate privileges within the application. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that these vulnerabilities affect core administrative and help system components, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information or manipulate content management workflows. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes the use of web application vulnerabilities for initial access and privilege escalation within targeted environments.
Organizations utilizing OpenCms versions affected by CVE-2015-2351 must implement immediate remediation strategies to address these security gaps. The most effective mitigation involves upgrading to OpenCms version 10.0.0 or later, which includes comprehensive input validation and output encoding fixes for all identified attack vectors. Additionally, implementing proper parameter sanitization at the application level, enforcing strict input validation for all user-supplied parameters, and deploying web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive code reviews focusing on input handling practices and establish automated testing procedures to detect similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust application security controls as outlined in industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.