CVE-2016-1173 in Menubook Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Menubook plugin before 0.9.3 for baserCMS allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2019
The CVE-2016-1173 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Menubook plugin for baserCMS platforms, specifically affecting versions prior to 0.9.3. This vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a prime example of how web application security controls can be bypassed through insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The vulnerability exists in the plugin's handling of user-supplied data that is subsequently rendered in web pages without adequate sanitization, creating a persistent risk for all users interacting with affected baserCMS installations.
The technical exploitation of this XSS vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors that likely involve the manipulation of input parameters or data fields within the Menubook plugin's functionality. Attackers can leverage this weakness to inject malicious scripts or HTML code that executes in the context of other users' browsers when they view affected pages. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that multiple entry points within the plugin's codebase could be compromised, potentially including form inputs, URL parameters, or data stored in database fields that are later displayed in web interfaces. This broad attack surface increases the likelihood of successful exploitation and makes comprehensive patching more challenging for administrators.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious sites. When combined with other attack vectors, this XSS flaw can facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting through form scraping or browser manipulation techniques. The vulnerability particularly threatens organizations using baserCMS platforms, as it allows attackers to compromise user sessions and potentially escalate privileges within the application's context. This risk is amplified in environments where users have administrative privileges or access to sensitive data through the CMS interface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1173 should prioritize immediate patching of the Menubook plugin to version 0.9.3 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding controls throughout their web applications, following secure coding practices that align with OWASP Top Ten recommendations. Additional defensive measures include implementing content security policies to limit script execution, deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, and conducting regular security assessments of third-party plugins and components. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software inventory and implementing robust patch management processes to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566 (Phishing) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) techniques, demonstrating how initial access through XSS can lead to more comprehensive compromise of affected systems.