CVE-2017-14197 in Matrix
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Squiz Matrix before 5.3.6.1 and 5.4.x before 5.4.1.3. There are multiple reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) issues in Matrix WYSIWYG plugins.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14197 represents a critical security flaw in Squiz Matrix content management system that affects versions prior to 5.3.6.1 and 5.4.x prior to 5.4.1.3. This issue stems from multiple reflected cross-site scripting vulnerabilities within the Matrix WYSIWYG plugins, which are integral components for content creation and editing within the platform. The vulnerability exposes the system to potential exploitation by malicious actors who can inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, creating a significant risk to the overall security posture of organizations relying on this CMS.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications. These reflected XSS issues occur when the application receives data from an untrusted source and incorporates that data into dynamic content without proper sanitization or encoding. The WYSIWYG plugins in Squiz Matrix are particularly susceptible because they process user input through rich text editing interfaces that may not adequately validate or escape special characters and script tags. When users interact with these plugins and provide input that includes malicious scripts, the system fails to properly sanitize this content before rendering it in web browsers, allowing the scripts to execute in the context of other users' sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement. Attackers can leverage these reflected XSS flaws to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive authentication cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. Given that Squiz Matrix is commonly used by organizations for enterprise content management, the potential for widespread compromise increases significantly. The vulnerability affects not only end users but also administrators who may be logged into the system, potentially allowing attackers to gain elevated privileges and full control over the content management infrastructure. This risk is particularly concerning in environments where the CMS handles sensitive corporate information, customer data, or regulatory compliance content.
Organizations affected by CVE-2017-14197 should immediately implement the vendor-provided patches and updates to resolve these reflected XSS vulnerabilities in the Matrix WYSIWYG plugins. The remediation process involves upgrading to versions 5.3.6.1 or 5.4.1.3 and later, which contain proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Additionally, implementing comprehensive web application firewall rules that can detect and block suspicious script patterns in HTTP requests provides an additional layer of protection. Security teams should conduct thorough penetration testing to identify any potential exploitation attempts and monitor web server logs for unusual patterns that may indicate attempted attacks. Regular security assessments of all web applications and plugins should be performed to maintain ongoing protection against similar vulnerabilities, as reflected XSS remains a prevalent threat in web application security according to the ATT&CK framework's web application exploitation techniques.