CVE-2015-5063 in CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in SilverStripe CMS & Framework 3.1.13 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) admin_username or (2) admin_password parameter to install.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5063 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting SilverStripe CMS and Framework versions 3.1.13 and earlier. This issue resides within the installation script process where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or validated before being processed. The vulnerability specifically targets two parameters admin_username and admin_password within the install.php file, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs during the initial installation phase of the SilverStripe platform when administrators configure administrative credentials. Attackers can craft malicious payloads containing script tags or other HTML content within these parameters, which then get executed when the installation process renders the input back to the browser. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly integrated into web pages without adequate sanitization or encoding measures. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic input validation failure where the application fails to properly escape or filter user-provided data before incorporating it into the response.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations deploying SilverStripe CMS as it allows remote attackers to execute malicious code within the browser context of administrators performing installations. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as attackers could potentially steal administrative credentials, modify installation configurations, or redirect users to malicious websites. The attack vector requires minimal privileges since it targets the installation process, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that may have less security awareness during initial setup phases. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1211 which involves exploitation of vulnerabilities in software installation processes to gain unauthorized access or execute malicious code.
The remediation strategy for CVE-2015-5063 requires immediate implementation of proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms within the SilverStripe installation process. Organizations should upgrade to SilverStripe versions 3.1.14 or later where the vulnerability has been patched through proper parameter validation and sanitization. Security measures should include implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, conducting regular input validation checks, and ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped before being rendered in web responses. Additionally, organizations should implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect anomalous installation activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of input validation in web applications and the potential consequences of inadequate sanitization during critical system setup processes.