CVE-2017-16356 in sige
Summary
by MITRE
Reflected XSS in Kubik-Rubik SIGE (aka Simple Image Gallery Extended) before 3.3.0 allows attackers to execute JavaScript in a victim's browser by having them visit a plugins/content/sige/plugin_sige/print.php link with a crafted img, name, or caption parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2017-16356 represents a reflected cross-site scripting flaw in the Kubik-Rubik SIGE plugin for Joomla, specifically affecting versions prior to 3.3.0. This issue resides within the plugin_sige/print.php component which processes user-supplied parameters without adequate sanitization or input validation. The vulnerability manifests when attackers craft malicious URLs containing specially formatted img, name, or caption parameters that are then reflected back to the victim's browser in the response, enabling arbitrary JavaScript execution. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security where user input is not properly escaped or validated before being incorporated into dynamically generated web content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper output encoding in the plugin's print.php script. When a user visits a crafted URL with malicious parameters, the plugin directly incorporates these parameters into the HTML response without appropriate sanitization measures. The reflected nature of this XSS means that the malicious script is not stored on the server but is instead injected through the request itself, making it particularly dangerous for targeted attacks. The vulnerability affects the plugin's image gallery functionality where users can specify image parameters such as image URLs, names, and captions. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute scripts in the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-16356 extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with a vector for more sophisticated attacks within the victim's browser context. Since the vulnerability affects a content management system plugin, successful exploitation could enable attackers to manipulate the gallery display, inject malicious content into the site, or perform actions that appear to originate from legitimate users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where administrators or privileged users access the site, as it could potentially lead to privilege escalation or complete system compromise through session manipulation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript and T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as it enables both code execution and social engineering attacks that leverage the trust relationship between users and the CMS.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16356 should focus on immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 3.3.0 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and output encoding. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures that validate and escape all user-supplied data before incorporating it into web responses, following the principle of least privilege for plugin functionality. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by monitoring for suspicious parameter patterns, though these should not replace proper code-level fixes. Regular security audits of CMS plugins and extensions should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, with particular attention to components that handle user input and generate dynamic content. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation as recommended in OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework guidelines, emphasizing that all user-provided data must be treated as untrusted and properly sanitized before processing.