CVE-2017-11611 in Wolf
Summary
by MITRE
Wolf CMS 0.8.3.1 allows Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient sanitization of the file name in a "create-file-popup" action, and the directory name in a "create-directory-popup" action, in the HTTP POST method to the "/plugin/file_manager/" script (aka an /admin/plugin/file_manager/browse// URI).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11611 affects Wolf CMS version 0.8.3.1 and represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw that enables attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of affected users' browsers. This vulnerability specifically targets the file manager plugin functionality of the content management system, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this platform for web content management. The flaw resides in the insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that process user-supplied data during file and directory creation operations within the administrative interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the HTTP POST requests processed by the /plugin/file_manager/ endpoint, specifically in the create-file-popup and create-directory-popup actions. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting maliciously crafted filenames or directory names that contain script code within the HTTP POST parameters. The system fails to properly sanitize these inputs before rendering them in the web interface, allowing the malicious code to execute when users view the affected file or directory listings. This represents a classic reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability where user input is directly incorporated into dynamic web content without adequate encoding or validation.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11611 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized access to administrative functions. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially gain full administrative control over the Wolf CMS installation, allowing them to modify content, create backdoor accounts, or exfiltrate sensitive data. The vulnerability affects the administrative plugin interface, making it particularly dangerous as it targets the core management functionality of the content management system. This flaw aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection attacks.
Organizations utilizing Wolf CMS 0.8.3.1 should immediately implement mitigations including input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied data, particularly in file and directory name fields within the file manager plugin. The recommended approach involves implementing proper HTML escaping and encoding of all dynamic content before rendering it in web pages, as well as validating file and directory names against strict character sets that exclude potentially malicious input. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution capabilities and monitor for suspicious file creation activities within the administrative interface. Regular security updates and patches should be applied to ensure the platform remains protected against similar vulnerabilities, with the specific fix requiring the implementation of robust input sanitization routines that prevent the injection of malicious scripts through the affected plugin endpoints.