CVE-2015-2678 in GeniXCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in MetalGenix GeniXCMS before 0.0.2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) cat parameter in the categories page to gxadmin/index.php or (2) page parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2678 represents a critical security flaw in MetalGenix GeniXCMS version 0.0.1 and earlier, exposing the system to multiple cross-site scripting attacks that can be exploited by remote threat actors. This vulnerability specifically affects the content management system's handling of user input parameters, creating pathways for malicious code injection that can compromise user sessions and potentially lead to unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. The flaw resides in the application's failure to properly sanitize and validate input data before processing, creating persistent security weaknesses that persist across different pages within the CMS interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the GeniXCMS application code. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the cat parameter within the categories page that directs traffic to gxadmin/index.php or the page parameter in the main index.php file. When these parameters are not properly sanitized, malicious scripts can be executed within the context of other users' browsers, allowing attackers to steal session cookies, deface web pages, or redirect users to malicious sites. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, representing one of the most common and dangerous web application security vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2678 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent footholds within the compromised system. Remote attackers can leverage these vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code in the context of affected users, potentially escalating privileges and gaining access to administrative functions. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects both the frontend user interface and the backend administration panel, providing attackers with multiple entry points to compromise the entire system. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which describes the use of script-based attacks to execute malicious code, and T1566 which covers social engineering techniques that can be employed to deliver the malicious payloads.
Organizations utilizing MetalGenix GeniXCMS versions prior to 0.0.2 should immediately implement comprehensive mitigations to address this vulnerability. The primary remediation strategy involves updating to the patched version 0.0.2 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Additionally, implementing proper parameter sanitization, using Content Security Policy headers, and deploying web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection. Security teams should also conduct thorough code reviews to identify similar input validation issues within the application and establish proper input filtering mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies that combine proper application security coding practices with network-level protections to prevent successful exploitation attempts.