CVE-2016-6201 in Ektron CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Ektron Content Management System (CMS) before 9.1.0.184 SP3 (9.1.0.184.3.127) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the ContType parameter in a ViewContentByCategory action to WorkArea/content.aspx.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2020
The CVE-2016-6201 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Ektron Content Management System that affects versions prior to 9.1.0.184 SP3. This vulnerability resides in the web application's handling of user input within the ContType parameter of the ViewContentByCategory action, which is processed through the WorkArea/content.aspx endpoint. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic input validation weakness where user-supplied parameters are not properly sanitized before being rendered in web responses, creating an avenue for malicious code injection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate parameter validation and output encoding within the Ektron CMS framework. When the ContType parameter is submitted through the ViewContentByCategory action, the system fails to adequately sanitize or escape the input before incorporating it into dynamic web content. This weakness allows attackers to inject malicious HTML or JavaScript code that gets executed when other users view the affected content. The vulnerability specifically targets the WorkArea/content.aspx page which serves as a critical interface for content delivery and management within the CMS architecture. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through simple HTTP requests without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to compromise entire user sessions and gain unauthorized access to sensitive content management capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject persistent malicious content that affects all users accessing the compromised CMS. The vulnerability affects the core content delivery functionality of Ektron CMS, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate content presentation, access administrative features, or exfiltrate confidential information. Given that content management systems often handle sensitive organizational data, this vulnerability could lead to significant data breaches and operational disruptions. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it affects the fundamental content delivery mechanisms of the platform.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-6201 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Ektron CMS installations to versions 9.1.0.184 SP3 or later, which contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their web applications, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are properly sanitized before processing. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script injection attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Network segmentation and web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and filter malicious traffic patterns associated with XSS attacks. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar input validation weaknesses within their application portfolios. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and follows ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection attacks, emphasizing the need for robust application-level defenses against malicious code execution.
The vulnerability represents a significant risk to organizations relying on Ektron CMS for content management, as it directly impacts the integrity and security of their web applications. Proper security configuration and regular maintenance of content management systems are essential to prevent exploitation of such fundamental flaws. Organizations should establish comprehensive security monitoring procedures to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts, while also implementing regular security training for administrators to recognize and respond to emerging threats in web application environments. The incident underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against common web application vulnerabilities that could compromise entire organizational systems.