CVE-2015-8667 in Exponent
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Reset Your Password module in Exponent CMS before 2.3.5 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the Username/Email.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2026
The CVE-2015-8667 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Reset Your Password module of Exponent CMS versions prior to 2.3.5. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting attacks where malicious scripts are injected into web applications. The flaw exists in the password reset functionality that processes user-provided username or email input without proper sanitization or validation mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers submit malicious input through the username or email fields in the password reset module. The application fails to properly encode or escape user-supplied data before rendering it in the web response, creating an environment where attackers can inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code. This injection typically happens during the password reset email generation process or when displaying user input in the password reset interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated user sessions. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The vulnerability affects the entire user base that relies on the password reset functionality, making it particularly dangerous in environments with multiple users. The attack vector requires minimal privileges as it operates from a remote location without requiring prior authentication to the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching to Exponent CMS version 2.3.5 or later, which contains the necessary input validation and output encoding fixes. Organizations should also implement proper input sanitization at all entry points, particularly in password reset and user management modules. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script injection techniques and T1531 for credential access through compromised authentication mechanisms. Regular security testing and input validation audits should be conducted to prevent similar issues in other application modules.