CVE-2015-8831 in DotClear
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in admin/comments.php in Dotclear before 2.8.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the author name in a comment.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8831 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Dotclear content management system administration interface. This issue affects versions prior to 2.8.2 and specifically targets the admin/comments.php script where user comments are managed. The vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization of comment author names, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated admin sessions.
The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by submitting a comment containing malicious script code in the author name field, which then gets reflected back to administrators who view the comments. This creates a persistent XSS vector that can be leveraged to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the administrative interface, providing attackers with elevated privileges and access to sensitive system functions.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8831 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to administrative controls and potentially compromise entire systems. When administrators view the compromised comments, their browsers execute the injected scripts, allowing attackers to hijack sessions, modify content, or escalate privileges. This vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including social engineering, where administrators might be tricked into viewing malicious comments, or through automated scanning tools that identify and exploit such flaws in web applications. The reflected nature of the XSS means that the malicious code executes immediately when the affected page is loaded, making it particularly effective for session hijacking attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate application of the security patch released by Dotclear for version 2.8.2 and subsequent releases. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms, ensuring all user-supplied data is properly escaped before being rendered in web pages. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against XSS attacks. Regular security audits and code reviews should focus on input validation routines, particularly in administrative interfaces where privileged operations occur. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of securing administrative interfaces and maintaining up-to-date software versions, as highlighted by ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential access through social engineering. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious comment submissions that may indicate attempted exploitation of such vulnerabilities.