CVE-2015-7822 in Kentico
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Kentico CMS 8.2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a (1) parameter name to CMSModules/AdminControls/Pages/UIPage.aspx or the (2) CMSBodyClass cookie variable to the default URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2018
The CVE-2015-7822 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Kentico CMS 8.2 that exposes organizations to significant web application security risks. This vulnerability exists within the content management system's administrative interface, specifically targeting the CMSModules/AdminControls/Pages/UIPage.aspx page and the CMSBodyClass cookie variable. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized administrative actions. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection as it provides attackers with a foothold to escalate privileges within the CMS environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the Kentico CMS 8.2 framework. When parameter names are passed to the UIPage.aspx endpoint without proper sanitization, the application fails to escape special characters that could be interpreted as executable script code. Similarly, the CMSBodyClass cookie variable lacks proper validation mechanisms, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that get rendered in the browser context. This represents a classic XSS vulnerability categorized under CWE-79, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The vulnerability manifests when user-supplied data is directly incorporated into HTML output without appropriate encoding or sanitization measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7822 extends far beyond simple client-side script execution. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal administrator sessions, modify content, create new user accounts, or even execute arbitrary commands on the server if additional vulnerabilities exist. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it targets the administrative interface, which typically has elevated privileges and access to sensitive system data. According to ATT&CK framework category T1190, this vulnerability enables initial access and privilege escalation through web application attacks. The vulnerability can be exploited by simply crafting malicious URLs or setting malicious cookies, making it highly accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise. Organizations using Kentico CMS 8.2 face significant risk of data compromise and system takeover if this vulnerability remains unpatched.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7822 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Kentico, as the vendor likely released a security update addressing the specific input validation gaps. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures, including proper HTML encoding of all user-supplied data before rendering in web pages. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by restricting script execution and preventing unauthorized code injection. Regular security auditing of web applications should include thorough testing of parameter handling and cookie validation mechanisms. Network segmentation and monitoring of suspicious cookie usage patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls with XSS detection capabilities provides an extra layer of protection. Organizations should also conduct regular security training for administrators to recognize and respond to potential XSS attack vectors, as social engineering components often accompany these types of vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that all input vectors are properly sanitized and that existing security controls are effective against similar attack patterns.