CVE-2015-5060 in anchor-cms
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in anchor-cms before 0.9-dev.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2022
The CVE-2015-5060 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in anchor-cms versions prior to 09-dev, exposing web applications built on this content management system to significant security risks. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of injection attacks that exploit improper input validation mechanisms within web applications. The flaw specifically affects the CMS's handling of user-supplied data in contexts where output is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of input parameters within anchor-cms's rendering pipeline. When users submit content or interact with the CMS interface, the application fails to adequately escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This weakness allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that, when executed in a victim's browser, can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or executing unauthorized commands on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core CMS functionality where user interactions are processed and displayed, making it accessible through various attack vectors including form submissions, URL parameters, and user-generated content fields.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, potentially enabling full account takeovers and persistent malicious activities within the compromised CMS environment. Attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent backdoors, modify website content, or exfiltrate sensitive information from the CMS database. The vulnerability's presence in anchor-cms versions prior to 09-dev indicates a long-standing security gap that could have been exploited by threat actors for extended periods. Organizations using affected versions face significant risks including reputational damage, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences from data breaches resulting from successful exploitation attempts.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is catalogued in the CWE database as one of the most prevalent web application security weaknesses. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 Initial Access: Phishing, as attackers often use XSS vulnerabilities to deliver malicious payloads through compromised CMS interfaces. Mitigation strategies include immediate upgrading to anchor-cms version 09-dev or later, implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms, deploying web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments. Additionally, organizations should implement proper content security policies and educate administrators about secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in custom CMS modifications or third-party plugins.