CVE-2016-4875 in Geeklog
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the IVYWE (1) Assist plugin before 1.1.2.test20160906, (2) dataBox plugin before 0.0.0.20160906, and (3) userBox plugin before 0.0.0.20160906 for Geeklog allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2022
The CVE-2016-4875 vulnerability represents a significant cross-site scripting weakness affecting multiple plugins within the Geeklog content management system ecosystem. This vulnerability specifically impacts three distinct plugins: IVYWE Assist, dataBox, and userBox, all of which were susceptible to malicious injection attacks before their respective version updates. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within these plugins, creating exploitable entry points for remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content into the affected system.
The technical flaw manifests through unspecified vectors that allow attackers to bypass normal security controls and inject malicious payloads into the web application. These vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical weakness in web application security. The vulnerability exists because the plugins fail to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in web pages, creating opportunities for attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4875 extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to compromise entire user sessions and potentially escalate privileges within the Geeklog environment. Attackers could craft malicious payloads that would execute when other users view affected pages, making this vulnerability particularly insidious in multi-user environments where different security levels and permissions exist. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of these plugins, potentially disrupting normal content management operations while simultaneously providing attackers with persistent access vectors. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through malicious content and T1059 for command and control through script injection.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4875 require immediate patching of all affected plugins to versions 1.1.2.test20160906, 0.0.0.20160906, and 0.0.0.20160906 respectively, as these releases contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers including client-side and server-side sanitization, employ Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, and conduct regular security assessments of third-party plugins. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing proper security controls in web applications. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious script injection attempts as additional defensive measures against similar vulnerabilities in the future.