CVE-2015-8376 in Symphony
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Symphony CMS 2.6.3 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) Name, (2) Navigation Group, or (3) Label parameter to blueprints/sections/edit/1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8376 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Symphony CMS version 2.6.3, specifically affecting the blueprint section editing functionality. This vulnerability resides in the input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within the web interface. The affected parameters include Name, Navigation Group, and Label fields when accessing the blueprints/sections/edit/1 endpoint, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to exploit this weakness. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting as a code injection attack that occurs when an application includes untrusted data in a new web page without proper validation or escaping, allowing attackers to execute scripts in the context of the victim's browser.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code through the targeted parameter fields, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or defacement of the content management system. When users interact with the affected pages, the malicious code executes in their browser context, creating persistent XSS attacks that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it targets the administrative interface of the CMS, providing attackers with elevated privileges to manipulate content, modify user accounts, or escalate their access within the system. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input sanitization practices and inadequate output encoding mechanisms that should be implemented according to OWASP secure coding guidelines.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including credential harvesting, session manipulation, and potential privilege escalation within the CMS environment. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that exploit the vulnerable parameters to establish persistent backdoors or redirect users to malicious websites, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on Symphony CMS for their web content management. The vulnerability affects the core administrative functionality of the system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to compromise the entire CMS infrastructure. Organizations may experience data breaches, unauthorized content modifications, and potential regulatory compliance violations due to the exposure of sensitive user data through this XSS vector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-8376 should focus on immediate patching of the Symphony CMS to version 2.6.4 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the input validation issues. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures, including the use of proper output encoding for all user-supplied data before rendering in web interfaces. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Regular security assessments and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the CMS. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK framework techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation through web application vulnerabilities, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls throughout the application lifecycle.