CVE-2017-11180 in FineCMS
Summary
by MITRE
FineCMS through 2017-07-11 has stored XSS in the logging functionality, as demonstrated by an XSS payload in (1) the User-Agent header of an HTTP request or (2) the username entered on the login screen.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11180 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within FineCMS version 2017-07-11 and earlier releases. This security weakness resides in the content management system's logging functionality, where user-supplied input is inadequately sanitized before being stored and subsequently rendered in web pages. The vulnerability manifests when malicious payloads are injected through HTTP headers or login form fields, creating persistent XSS vectors that can compromise user sessions and execute unauthorized code in the context of affected browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through two primary attack vectors that leverage the application's improper input validation mechanisms. Attackers can inject malicious JavaScript code through the User-Agent header of HTTP requests, which gets logged and subsequently displayed without proper sanitization. Additionally, the vulnerability extends to the username field during login attempts, where malicious input is stored in the system's logs and later rendered to authenticated users. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload persists in the system's database until manually removed, potentially affecting multiple users over extended periods. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting flaws that occur when untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or encoding.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11180 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with persistent access to victim systems through session hijacking and credential theft. When authenticated users view the logged entries containing malicious payloads, their browsers execute the injected JavaScript code, potentially leading to complete account compromise, data exfiltration, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the logging functionality, which typically has elevated privileges and access to sensitive user information. This weakness can be leveraged to escalate privileges, manipulate user sessions, and potentially gain unauthorized access to administrative functions within the CMS. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that the vulnerability affects both anonymous and authenticated users who encounter the stored malicious content in the system's log displays.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11180 require immediate implementation of comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's logging components. Organizations should implement strict sanitization of all user-supplied input, particularly in HTTP headers and login fields, before storing any data in the system's database. The solution involves applying proper HTML encoding to all output rendered from stored data, ensuring that any potentially malicious content is neutralized before presentation to users. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed. Regular security audits of logging functionality, along with mandatory input validation for all user interactions, are essential defensive measures. The remediation process should also include patching the system to a version that addresses this specific vulnerability, as the original vulnerable version lacks proper security controls. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems that can detect and prevent injection attempts targeting similar vulnerabilities, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1213 for credential access and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage.