CVE-2017-14762 in GeniXCMS
Summary
by MITRE
In GeniXCMS 1.1.4, /inc/lib/Control/Backend/menus.control.php has XSS via the id parameter.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14762 affects GeniXCMS version 1.1.4 and represents a cross-site scripting flaw located within the backend menu control component. This issue manifests through the id parameter in the file /inc/lib/Control/Backend/menus.control.php, which fails to properly sanitize user input before rendering it in the web application's response. The vulnerability enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially compromising the security of the entire content management system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the GeniXCMS backend interface. When the system processes the id parameter without proper sanitization, it allows malicious payloads to be executed within the context of a victim's browser session. This flaw specifically aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a result of insufficient input validation and output encoding. The vulnerability exists at the application layer where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into dynamic web content without appropriate security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data manipulation within the CMS environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially escalate privileges, access sensitive administrative functions, or compromise the integrity of the entire website. The backend nature of this flaw means that successful exploitation could provide unauthorized access to critical system components, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on GeniXCMS for their web presence. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers can leverage the XSS to execute malicious commands through the vulnerable interface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14762 should include immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding measures within the affected file. The system should sanitize all user inputs, particularly the id parameter, using proper encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding before rendering content. Organizations should also implement proper content security policies to limit script execution and consider upgrading to a patched version of GeniXCMS. Additionally, regular security assessments and input validation reviews should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the application. The remediation process should follow secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Secure Coding Guidelines, specifically focusing on preventing XSS vulnerabilities through proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms.