CVE-2016-10782 in cPanel
Summary
by MITRE
cPanel before 60.0.25 allows self stored XSS in postgres API1 listdbs (SEC-181).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10782 affects cPanel versions prior to 60.0.25 and represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw within the postgres API1 listdbs functionality. This security weakness resides in the web-based administration interface of cPanel, which is widely deployed across hosting environments and web server management platforms. The vulnerability specifically impacts the postgres database management component within cPanel's API1 interface, where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being stored and subsequently rendered in web responses. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist in the system's database and execute whenever the affected page is accessed by authenticated users. This stored XSS vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the postgres database listing functionality, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by malicious actors with access to the cPanel interface or through other attack vectors that lead to code injection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic stored XSS attack pattern where malicious payloads are first submitted through the postgres API1 listdbs endpoint and then stored in the system's database. When legitimate users subsequently access the database listing interface, the stored malicious scripts execute in their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the compromised system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the administrative interface of cPanel, which typically grants elevated privileges to authorized users. This means that successful exploitation could provide attackers with access to sensitive system information, database credentials, or the ability to manipulate database configurations. The attack vector involves submitting malicious input through the postgres API1 interface, which then gets stored and executed during subsequent page rendering operations. This flaw aligns with CWE-079, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a critical security weakness in web applications, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices for input validation and output sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks against hosting environments that rely on cPanel for management operations. Attackers could leverage this stored XSS to establish persistent access to compromised systems, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, or unauthorized access to customer databases. The vulnerability's presence in the postgres API1 interface suggests that it affects database administrators and hosting providers who use cPanel for managing multiple client accounts, creating a potential escalation path for attackers seeking to compromise entire hosting infrastructures. Organizations running affected cPanel versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to their database environments, as the vulnerability allows for the execution of arbitrary code within the context of authenticated user sessions. The impact is particularly severe in shared hosting environments where multiple customers share the same infrastructure, as a successful attack could potentially affect other users' databases or compromise the entire hosting platform. This vulnerability also demonstrates weaknesses in the application's security architecture and highlights the importance of implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout all web application interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected cPanel installations to version 60.0.25 or later, which includes the necessary security fixes to prevent the storage and execution of malicious scripts. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to the cPanel interface, particularly restricting access to administrative functions to trusted personnel only. Additionally, deploying web application firewalls and implementing robust input validation measures can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual activity patterns in database management interfaces, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify potential weaknesses in web application frameworks. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched versions to ensure that the XSS vulnerability has been properly addressed without introducing regressions in functionality. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to maintain up-to-date security configurations and reduce the window of exposure to known vulnerabilities. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against persistent threats in web-based management interfaces. The remediation efforts should align with industry best practices and security frameworks that emphasize continuous monitoring, regular patching, and robust input validation to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components of the hosting infrastructure.