CVE-2016-4880 in BaserCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in baserCMS plugin Blog version 3.0.10 and earlier allows remote authenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2020
The CVE-2016-4880 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the baserCMS Blog plugin version 3.0.10 and earlier. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting attacks where malicious scripts can be injected into web applications. The vulnerability affects authenticated users who can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' sessions. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's processing logic, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors. Attackers can manipulate the application's data handling processes to inject malicious payloads that will execute when other users view affected content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to possess valid authentication credentials within the baserCMS system, which significantly reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk entirely. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability could manifest through multiple entry points within the plugin's functionality, potentially including blog post creation, comment submission, or administrative configuration modifications. The authenticated nature of the attack means that the vulnerability cannot be exploited by anonymous users, but it does pose a significant threat to organizations where privileged users may be compromised or where attackers can obtain valid credentials through social engineering or other means. This weakness directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of user data within the affected web application environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4880 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user information, redirect victims to malicious websites, or even escalate privileges within the application. When combined with other vulnerabilities or used as part of a broader attack chain, this XSS flaw can lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations using baserCMS with the Blog plugin, potentially exposing their entire user base to malicious activity. Security teams must consider this vulnerability in their risk assessment frameworks, as it represents a persistent threat that can be leveraged for ongoing attacks against authenticated users. The impact is compounded by the fact that many organizations may not regularly audit their plugin versions, leaving them vulnerable to known exploits.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4880 should focus on immediate patching of the affected baserCMS Blog plugin to version 3.0.11 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their web applications, particularly for user-generated content. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited. The implementation of content security policies and proper sanitization of user inputs can significantly reduce the risk of successful XSS attacks. Additionally, security awareness training for administrators and developers should emphasize the importance of keeping third-party components updated and following secure coding practices. The vulnerability also highlights the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security monitoring systems that can detect and alert on suspicious activities related to XSS exploitation attempts. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and other protective measures to provide additional layers of defense against such attacks.