CVE-2016-10774 in cPanel
Summary
by MITRE
cPanel before 60.0.25 allows self XSS in the tail_ea4_migration.cgi interface (SEC-172).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10774 represents a critical self-cross-site scripting flaw discovered in cPanel versions prior to 60.0.25. This security weakness specifically affects the tail_ea4_migration.cgi interface, which is utilized for managing EasyApache 4 migration processes within the cPanel control panel environment. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79 Cross-Site Scripting, where malicious scripts can be injected into the web interface and subsequently executed in the context of authenticated users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the tail_ea4_migration.cgi script. When users interact with the migration interface, the application fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before rendering it in the web response. This allows authenticated attackers with access to the cPanel interface to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes within the victim's browser session. The self-XSS nature indicates that the malicious payload is executed within the same context as the legitimate user, making it particularly dangerous for privilege escalation scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the compromised cPanel environment. Since cPanel serves as a comprehensive hosting control panel managing multiple domains, user accounts, and server configurations, successful exploitation could enable attackers to manipulate migration processes, access sensitive server information, or potentially escalate privileges to gain administrative control over hosting environments. This vulnerability particularly affects shared hosting environments where multiple users manage different accounts through a single cPanel instance.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10774 require immediate patching of affected cPanel installations to version 60.0.25 or later, which includes proper input validation and output sanitization measures. Organizations should also implement comprehensive monitoring of the tail_ea4_migration.cgi interface for suspicious activities and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts. Security hardening practices should include regular vulnerability assessments of web applications and adherence to secure coding practices that prevent XSS vulnerabilities through proper input validation and output encoding. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1213 Data from Information Repositories, highlighting its potential for privilege escalation and data exfiltration within compromised hosting environments.