CVE-2016-7813 in DERAEMON-CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in DERAEMON-CMS version 0.8.9 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the parameters hostname, database and username.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2019
The CVE-2016-7813 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in DERAEMON-CMS versions 0.8.9 and earlier, exposing web applications to persistent remote code execution risks. This vulnerability specifically targets three parameter fields including hostname, database, and username within the CMS framework, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response handling mechanisms. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization practices within the CMS's parameter processing logic, allowing attackers to bypass security controls that should normally prevent malicious content from being executed within user browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads containing script tags or other HTML content and submitting them through the vulnerable parameters. When the CMS processes these inputs without proper sanitization, the injected content becomes part of the dynamic web page output, creating a persistent XSS vector that can affect all users interacting with the compromised application. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection as it can enable session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites, making it particularly dangerous for web applications handling sensitive user data.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations using DERAEMON-CMS versions prior to 0.8.10, as it allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated users' browsers. The attack vector operates through standard web request mechanisms, making it easily exploitable by threat actors with basic web application penetration testing skills. The vulnerability's persistence stems from the fact that once injected, malicious scripts can remain active until the CMS is updated or the affected parameters are properly sanitized. This creates ongoing security risks where attackers can establish footholds within web applications and potentially escalate privileges through session manipulation or data exfiltration techniques.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7813 primarily involve immediate patching of the CMS to version 0.8.10 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization routines that filter or escape special characters in all user-supplied parameters before processing them within the application context. Additionally, the implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded and executed within the browser environment. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other web applications and establish proper security coding practices that align with OWASP Top Ten recommendations and defense-in-depth principles. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper parameter handling and input validation in preventing common web application attacks that can compromise entire user bases and organizational security postures.