CVE-2017-14049 in BlackCat
Summary
by MITRE
In BlackCat CMS 1.2, backend/settings/ajax_save_settings.php allows remote authenticated users to conduct XSS attacks via the Website header or Website footer field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14049 resides within BlackCat CMS version 1.2, specifically in the backend settings management functionality. This issue affects the ajax_save_settings.php script which handles the saving of website configuration parameters including the Website header and Website footer fields. The flaw represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability that undermines the security integrity of the content management system's administrative interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the settings management module. When authenticated administrators interact with the backend interface to modify website header or footer content, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before storing and subsequently rendering it. This omission creates an exploitable condition where malicious actors can inject malicious scripts into these configurable fields, which then execute in the context of other authenticated users who view the affected pages.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to the BlackCat CMS deployment and its users. The attack requires only authenticated access to the administrative interface, which means that any user with valid login credentials can potentially exploit this flaw. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects the entire administrative workflow since the compromised fields are likely used across multiple pages and sections of the website.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-79 Cross-site Scripting attack patterns and fall under the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 Initial Access: Spearphishing Attachment. The attack vector involves the manipulation of trusted administrative interfaces to gain persistent access to sensitive systems. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure web application development. Organizations using BlackCat CMS 1.2 should immediately address this issue through patching or implementing compensating controls such as input sanitization at multiple layers and enhanced monitoring of administrative activities.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the BlackCat CMS to version 1.3 or later where this vulnerability has been resolved. Additionally, organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application code to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar input validation weaknesses. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual administrative activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of principle of least privilege implementation, where administrative access should be restricted to essential personnel only to minimize potential impact from such vulnerabilities.