CVE-2015-5066 in GeniXCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the MetalGenix GeniXCMS 0.0.3 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) content or (2) title field in an add action in the posts page to index.php or the (3) q parameter in the posts page to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2024
The CVE-2015-5066 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in MetalGenix GeniXCMS version 0.0.3, exposing web applications to persistent remote code execution risks. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically targeting the application's input validation mechanisms. The flaw manifests when the CMS fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the application's content management interface. The vulnerability affects multiple input vectors within the CMS's posts management functionality, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various attack surfaces.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs in the index.php file where the application processes user input without adequate sanitization or encoding mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting malicious payloads through three distinct parameters: the content field during post creation, the title field during post creation, and the q parameter used for search functionality. When these parameters are processed and displayed without proper HTML escaping or context-appropriate encoding, the injected scripts execute within the victim's browser context. This creates a persistent threat vector where malicious code can be stored and executed whenever legitimate users view the affected content, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5066 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the compromised CMS environment. Successful exploitation can enable attackers to manipulate content, steal administrator credentials, modify website data, or establish persistent backdoors through the compromised CMS interface. The vulnerability's presence in the core content management functionality means that any user with access to the posts creation or search features can potentially exploit this weakness, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments. Additionally, the persistence of the vulnerability across multiple input vectors increases the attack surface and reduces the effectiveness of simple input validation measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5066 should focus on implementing robust input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data handling processes. The primary defense involves implementing proper HTML escaping and context-appropriate encoding for all user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in web application development, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's web application exploitation techniques. Updates to the CMS software or implementing proper input validation patches are essential remediation steps that address the root cause of the vulnerability.