CVE-2015-3989 in concrete5
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in concrete5 before 5.7.4 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to private messages or other unspecified vectors.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3989 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting concrete5 content management systems prior to version 5.7.4. This weakness falls under the category of CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental web application security concern that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability specifically impacts the private messaging functionality and other unspecified vectors within the concrete5 platform, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious code within the context of users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of user input in the private messaging system and related components. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that get stored within the application's database and subsequently executed when other users view the affected content. This type of vulnerability enables attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user information, redirect users to malicious websites, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims. The flaw exists because the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages, allowing HTML and JavaScript code to be executed in the context of other users' sessions.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3989 extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for broader attacks within the concrete5 ecosystem. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to private messages containing sensitive information, potentially including user credentials, personal data, or confidential communications. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to privilege escalation if the affected users have administrative capabilities within the concrete5 installation. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Phishing and T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to deliver malicious payloads through web-based vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3989 should prioritize immediate patching of affected concrete5 installations to version 5.7.4 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their web applications, particularly in messaging and user-generated content components. The principle of defense in depth should be applied through Content Security Policy (CSP) headers, regular security audits, and monitoring for suspicious activities. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and user session management can help limit the potential damage from successful XSS exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in other web applications within their infrastructure, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of consistent security practices across all application components.