CVE-2016-7980 in SPIP
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in ecrire/exec/valider_xml.php in SPIP 3.1.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of administrators for requests that execute the XML validator on a local file via a crafted valider_xml request. NOTE: this issue can be combined with CVE-2016-7998 to execute arbitrary PHP code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2026
The CVE-2016-7980 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within the SPIP content management system version 3.1.2 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the ecrire/exec/valider_xml.php component, which serves as an XML validator interface for local file processing. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate administrative sessions by crafting malicious requests that leverage the XML validation functionality to execute unauthorized operations on behalf of authenticated administrators. The vulnerability operates through a carefully constructed valider_xml request that can bypass normal authentication mechanisms, effectively allowing attackers to hijack administrative privileges without direct credential access.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of request origins and lack of proper authentication checks within the XML validation endpoint. When administrators access the XML validator functionality, the system fails to verify that the request originates from a legitimate source or that the request contains appropriate security tokens to prevent unauthorized use. This weakness creates a pathway for attackers to construct malicious web pages or exploit existing vulnerabilities that can automatically submit crafted requests to the SPIP system, thereby executing arbitrary XML validation operations that can be leveraged for privilege escalation. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction from the administrator, as the malicious request can be triggered through various attack vectors including social engineering or by embedding the exploit within compromised websites.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7980 extends beyond simple session hijacking, particularly when combined with CVE-2016-7998, which allows for arbitrary PHP code execution. This combination creates a complete attack chain where CSRF can be used to establish a foothold within the system, followed by code execution that can lead to full system compromise. Attackers can potentially upload malicious files, modify system configurations, access sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors through this vulnerability chain. The risk is particularly elevated for administrators who frequently use the XML validation functionality, as the attack can be executed without requiring complex exploitation techniques or direct access to the system's administrative interface.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery flaws, and the broader ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and code execution tactics. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly isolated flaws can combine to create more severe security implications, emphasizing the importance of defense-in-depth strategies and proper input validation. Organizations using SPIP versions prior to 3.1.3 should immediately implement mitigations including updating to patched versions, implementing proper CSRF tokens, and restricting administrative access to trusted networks. Additional protective measures include monitoring for suspicious XML validation requests, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application's attack surface. The vulnerability underscores the critical need for comprehensive security testing and the implementation of robust authentication mechanisms, particularly for administrative functions that process sensitive operations such as file validation and system configuration changes.