CVE-2016-7150 in b2evolution
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in b2evolution 6.7.5 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the site name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2026
The CVE-2016-7150 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the b2evolution content management system affecting versions 6.7.5 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the site name parameter, which serves as a critical configuration element in the CMS. The flaw enables authenticated attackers who have already gained access to the system to execute malicious scripts through carefully crafted input. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the application's handling of user-supplied data. When the system processes the site name parameter, it fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code by web browsers. This oversight creates a persistent vector for attackers to inject malicious payloads that can execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that attackers who have already compromised user credentials can leverage this flaw to escalate their privileges or conduct further attacks. The flaw aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and demonstrates how insufficient input validation can create persistent security weaknesses. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability can enable attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The impact extends beyond simple script injection as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking or data exfiltration. The attack surface is particularly wide since the site name parameter is often used in various parts of the application's user interface, making the injection point highly accessible. The vulnerability also connects to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers scripting through web shell commands, as attackers can use the XSS vector to establish persistent access. Organizations using affected versions of b2evolution face significant risk of unauthorized access and data compromise, as the vulnerability can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to user sessions and sensitive information. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly innocuous configuration parameters can become critical attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly sanitize user input before rendering it within HTML contexts. When an authenticated user submits a site name containing malicious script code, the system stores this input without adequate filtering mechanisms. Subsequently, when the site name is displayed in various administrative interfaces or public-facing pages, the stored malicious code executes in the browser context of other users. This behavior constitutes a classic reflected XSS vulnerability where the malicious payload is stored server-side and then delivered to users during normal page rendering operations. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill, as attackers can simply modify the site name parameter through legitimate administrative interfaces. The lack of proper output encoding means that special characters such as angle brackets, quotes, and script tags are not properly escaped when rendered in HTML contexts. This fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture allows attackers to bypass traditional security controls that might otherwise prevent such injections. The vulnerability's persistence is particularly dangerous as the malicious code remains active until the site name is modified or the affected system is updated. Security researchers have identified that this flaw can be leveraged to create persistent backdoors within the CMS environment. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that b2evolution systems often contain sensitive administrative functions and user data. The flaw also demonstrates how inadequate security testing can lead to critical vulnerabilities in widely deployed applications, as XSS issues frequently occur due to insufficient security validation during development phases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7150 require immediate action including patching the affected b2evolution installations to versions that address the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar issues in other applications. The recommended approach includes applying the vendor's security patches promptly and ensuring all authenticated users are properly validated before allowing access to configuration parameters. Security teams should also implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns targeting the site name parameter. Additional defensive measures include regular security assessments of CMS installations to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. The implementation of proper content security policies can provide additional protection against script injection attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Organizations should also establish robust monitoring procedures to detect unusual modifications to configuration parameters. Regular security training for administrators can help prevent social engineering attacks that might lead to credential compromise. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in web application security. Security teams should also consider implementing automated scanning tools to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications within their infrastructure. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing functionality. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing can help identify and address similar security weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors. The incident also underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security practices and ensuring that all components of web applications are properly secured against known attack vectors.