CVE-2017-15682 in Crafter
Summary
by MITRE • 11/27/2020
In Crafter CMS Crafter Studio 3.0.1 an unauthenticated attacker is able to inject malicious JavaScript code resulting in a stored/blind XSS in the admin panel.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15682 affects Crafter CMS Crafter Studio version 3.0.1, representing a critical security flaw that enables unauthenticated attackers to execute malicious JavaScript code through stored cross-site scripting (XSS) techniques. This vulnerability specifically targets the admin panel of the content management system, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on Crafter CMS for their digital content management needs. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's user interface components, particularly those handling administrative functions and content submission processes. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist in the system and execute when administrators access the affected pages, making it particularly dangerous due to its stored nature.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the improper sanitization of user inputs within the Crafter Studio admin interface. When administrators interact with the system to manage content or perform administrative tasks, the application fails to adequately validate or escape potentially malicious input data. This weakness creates a blind XSS condition where the injected JavaScript code can execute in the context of the administrator's browser session without requiring authentication. The vulnerability manifests when the application stores user-provided data without proper sanitization and subsequently renders this data without appropriate output encoding, allowing the malicious script to execute when the content is viewed by authenticated users. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious code persists in the system and can affect multiple administrators who view the compromised content, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-15682 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate privileges and potentially compromise the entire content management system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to administrative functions, modify content, steal session cookies, or redirect administrators to malicious sites. The blind XSS nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can remain undetected while executing code, as the malicious script can be triggered by any administrator accessing the compromised pages. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a user agent without proper validation or encoding. The impact is further amplified by the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 which describes the use of scriptlets for execution, and T1566 which covers social engineering techniques that can be employed to deliver malicious payloads through compromised content management systems.
Organizations utilizing Crafter CMS version 3.0.1 should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves applying the vendor-provided security patch or upgrade to a supported version that addresses the input validation and output encoding deficiencies. Additionally, implementing strict input validation mechanisms, robust output encoding, and Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be configured to monitor for suspicious input patterns and block potential XSS attack vectors. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application's codebase. The mitigation approach should also include implementing role-based access controls and monitoring administrator activities to detect any unauthorized access attempts or suspicious behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security awareness training for administrators should emphasize the importance of verifying content before publishing and recognizing potential social engineering attempts that could leverage this vulnerability.