CVE-2017-18639 in Sitefinity CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Progress Sitefinity CMS before 10.1 allows XSS via /Pages Parameter : Page Title, /Content/News Parameter : News Title, /Content/List Parameter : List Title, /Content/Documents/LibraryDocuments/incident-request-attachments Parameter : Document Title, /Content/Images/LibraryImages/newsimages Parameter : Image Title, /Content/links Parameter : Link Title, /Content/links Parameter : Link Title, or /Content/Videos/LibraryVideos/default-video-library Parameter : Video Title.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2024
This vulnerability in Progress Sitefinity CMS represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw that affects versions prior to 10.1, enabling attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability manifests through multiple parameter injection points within the content management system's user interface, specifically targeting page titles, news titles, list titles, document titles, image titles, link titles, and video titles. The attack vector exploits the lack of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms in the CMS's content handling processes, allowing malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of affected user sessions.
The technical exploitation occurs when user-supplied data is directly rendered into web pages without adequate sanitization or encoding, creating persistent XSS vulnerabilities across multiple content types. This flaw falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly encode or escape user input before incorporating it into dynamic web content. The vulnerability affects the CMS's administrative interface where content creators can input titles for various media types, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by both authenticated and unauthenticated attackers depending on the system configuration and access controls in place.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious sites, or even escalate privileges within the CMS environment. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that persist in the database and are executed whenever legitimate users view the affected content pages, creating a persistent threat that can compromise multiple user sessions over time. The vulnerability's widespread presence across multiple content types increases its attack surface and potential for exploitation, as it provides multiple entry points for attackers to establish footholds within the system.
Security professionals should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent the injection of malicious scripts into the CMS's content management interface. The recommended mitigation strategies include upgrading to Progress Sitefinity CMS version 10.1 or later, which contains the necessary security patches addressing this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should implement web application firewalls with XSS detection capabilities, enforce strict content validation rules, and conduct regular security assessments of their CMS configurations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers can leverage the XSS vulnerability to deliver malicious payloads through compromised CMS content, potentially leading to further compromise of the system through credential theft or privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies and regular security training for administrators to reduce the risk of exploitation through social engineering or compromised credentials.