CVE-2017-1000193 in October
Summary
by MITRE
October CMS build 412 is vulnerable to stored WCI (a.k.a XSS) in brand logo image name resulting in JavaScript code execution in the victim's browser.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1000193 affects October CMS version 412 and represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that can be exploited to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within victim browsers. This vulnerability specifically resides in the brand logo image handling functionality of the content management system, where user-supplied image names are not properly sanitized before being rendered in the administrative interface. The flaw allows an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code into the image name field, which then gets executed when the image is displayed in the admin panel, creating a persistent XSS vector that can compromise administrator sessions and potentially lead to full system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the October CMS administrative interface. When administrators view the brand logo settings, the system directly incorporates the image name into the HTML without proper sanitization, creating a classic stored XSS scenario. This flaw aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as weaknesses in web applications that allow attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the administrative context, meaning that successful exploitation can provide attackers with elevated privileges and full control over the CMS installation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to October CMS installations as it can be exploited by attackers with minimal privileges to gain administrative access. The stored nature of the XSS means that the malicious code persists in the database and will execute every time an administrator views the affected page, making it particularly insidious for long-term compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, modify content, create new administrator accounts, or even exfiltrate sensitive data from the CMS. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as the JavaScript execution enables attackers to perform various malicious activities through the compromised administrative interface. The impact extends beyond immediate exploitation as the vulnerability can be used as a foothold for further attacks within the organization's network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-1000193 should prioritize immediate patching of the October CMS installation to version 413 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes for the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should also implement strict input validation for all user-supplied data, particularly in administrative interfaces, and apply proper output encoding to prevent malicious scripts from executing. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious activities related to image uploads and administrative access patterns. Additionally, implementing content security policies and regular security audits of web applications can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in the future. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices in web application security, particularly within administrative interfaces where the potential for damage is significantly higher than in regular user-facing components.