CVE-2017-11744 in Revolution
Summary
by MITRE
In MODX Revolution 2.5.7, the "key" and "name" parameters in the System Settings module are vulnerable to XSS. A malicious payload sent to connectors/index.php will be triggered by every user, when they visit this module.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11744 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the MODX Revolution content management system version 2.5.7. This security weakness specifically affects the System Settings module where user input parameters named "key" and "name" are not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users. The vulnerability exists in the connectors/index.php endpoint which processes requests related to system configuration settings. When malicious payloads are submitted through these parameters, they become persistent within the application's data storage and execute whenever any user accesses the System Settings module, making this a particularly dangerous vulnerability due to its broad impact scope.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of user-supplied data in the system configuration interface. The "key" and "name" parameters serve as input fields where administrators can define system settings, but the application fails to implement adequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms. This lack of sanitization creates an environment where malicious JavaScript code can be injected and stored within the system's configuration parameters. When legitimate users navigate to the System Settings module, their browsers execute the stored malicious code within the context of the authenticated session, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data exfiltration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it represents a persistent threat vector that affects all users with access to the System Settings module. Any authenticated user who visits this module will be exposed to the stored malicious payload, effectively turning the vulnerability into a vector for privilege escalation or session hijacking attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it does not require specific user interaction beyond normal navigation to the affected module, making it an ideal candidate for automated exploitation. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can inject malicious code that executes in the browser context of legitimate users.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which occurs when web applications fail to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks. Organizations using MODX Revolution 2.5.7 should immediately implement mitigations including input sanitization of all user-supplied parameters, output encoding for all dynamic content, and comprehensive security auditing of system configuration interfaces. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing proper access controls and input validation in administrative interfaces, as recommended by OWASP Top Ten Project guidelines for preventing cross-site scripting attacks. Regular security updates and patch management procedures should be enforced to prevent such vulnerabilities from persisting in production environments, as this flaw could enable attackers to escalate privileges or establish persistent access to the affected systems through the compromised administrative interface.