CVE-2017-16514 in WebsiteBaker
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple persistent stored Cross-Site-Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the files /wb/admin/admintools/tool.php (Droplet Description) and /install/index.php (Site Title) in WebsiteBaker 2.10.0 allow attackers to insert persistent JavaScript code that gets reflected back to users in multiple areas in the application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2019
The vulnerability CVE-2017-16514 represents a critical security flaw in WebsiteBaker version 2.10.0 that manifests as multiple persistent stored cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities exist in two distinct locations within the application's codebase, specifically in the administrative tool management interface and the installation process. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject persistent JavaScript code that remains stored within the application's database and executes whenever affected pages are accessed by unsuspecting users. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a serious threat to web application security as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code in the context of victim browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through improper input validation and output encoding within the application's administrative components. In the /wb/admin/admintools/tool.php file, the Droplet Description field fails to properly sanitize user input, allowing attackers to submit malicious JavaScript payloads that get stored in the database. Similarly, the /install/index.php file contains a vulnerability in the Site Title field where unvalidated input gets persisted without adequate encoding. Both locations demonstrate a lack of proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms that are fundamental requirements for preventing XSS attacks. The stored nature of these vulnerabilities means that once malicious code is injected, it will automatically execute for any user who accesses the affected pages, making this particularly dangerous for administrative interfaces where multiple users may be affected.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-16514 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with significant capabilities for user session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. When users with administrative privileges access the affected pages, attackers can execute JavaScript code that may steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject additional malicious content into the application. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious file attachments and T1547.001 for persistence through registry run keys, though the primary threat vector here is the stored XSS payload that can be leveraged for broader exploitation. The impact is particularly severe in administrative contexts where the application may be used to manage sensitive content or user data, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain elevated privileges or compromise the entire application environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16514 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the affected application components. Organizations should implement comprehensive sanitization of all user-supplied input, particularly in administrative interfaces where privilege levels are higher. The recommended approach involves applying strict whitelisting filters to remove or encode potentially dangerous characters and JavaScript code patterns before storing data in the database. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to ensure that similar vulnerabilities do not exist in other parts of the application. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to a patched version of WebsiteBaker that addresses these specific vulnerabilities, as the original version contains fundamental flaws in its data handling mechanisms that require comprehensive remediation.