CVE-2017-1000213 in WBCE
Summary
by MITRE
WBCE v1.1.11 is vulnerable to reflected XSS via the "begriff" POST parameter in /admin/admintools/tool.php?tool=user_search
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1000213 affects WBCE version 1.1.11 and represents a reflected cross-site scripting flaw that specifically targets the administrative interface of the content management system. This vulnerability exists within the user search functionality of the administration tools, making it particularly dangerous as it could be exploited by attackers to compromise administrator sessions and gain elevated privileges within the system. The reflected XSS occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the "begriff" POST parameter in the URL path /admin/admintools/tool.php?tool=user_search, allowing malicious scripts to be executed in the context of an authenticated administrator's browser session.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and output encoding within the WBCE application's administrative interface. When a user submits a search query through the user search tool, the application processes the "begriff" parameter without adequate sanitization measures, directly incorporating user-supplied data into the HTTP response without proper HTML escaping or encoding. This failure to implement proper input validation follows the CWE-79 pattern for cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, where the application fails to neutralize or escape potentially malicious input before it is rendered to the user. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the context of an administrative tool, making it a high-severity issue that could enable attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the administrator's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or data manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with a potential pathway to fully compromise the administrative interface of the WBCE system. An attacker could craft malicious payloads that, when executed in an administrator's browser, could steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or modify content within the CMS. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that attackers need to entice administrators to click on crafted links containing malicious payloads, but once executed, the consequences could be severe including complete system compromise. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.002 for credential access through social engineering, as administrators might be tricked into clicking malicious links that exploit this vulnerability. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that the vulnerability exists in the administrative tools section, potentially allowing attackers to perform actions that would otherwise be restricted to legitimate administrators.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-1000213 should prioritize immediate application updates to the latest supported version of WBCE where this vulnerability has been patched. Organizations should implement input validation and output encoding measures to prevent similar issues in other applications, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against reflected XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual patterns in administrative tool usage, and regular security audits of web applications should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and privileged access controls should be implemented to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation, while user education about phishing attempts and suspicious links should be emphasized as part of a comprehensive security strategy. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in web applications and the potential consequences of failing to implement adequate security measures in administrative interfaces.