CVE-2017-20155 in Google Analytics Dashboard for MODX
Summary
by MITRE • 12/31/2022
A vulnerability was found in Sterc Google Analytics Dashboard for MODX up to 1.0.5. It has been declared as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file core/components/analyticsdashboardwidget/elements/tpl/widget.analytics.tpl of the component Internal Search. The manipulation leads to cross site scripting. The attack can be launched remotely. Upgrading to version 1.0.6 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is 855d9560d3782c105568eedf9b22a769fbf29cc0. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The identifier VDB-217069 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-20155 represents a cross site scripting flaw within the Sterc Google Analytics Dashboard component for MODX, specifically affecting versions up to 1.0.5. This issue resides within the core/components/analyticsdashboardwidget/elements/tpl/widget.analytics.tpl file, which is part of the component's internal search functionality. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within the web interface. This allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising their sessions and data integrity.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through remote attack vectors, meaning malicious actors can trigger the XSS payload without requiring physical access to the system or direct interaction with the server. The flaw manifests when user input is processed through the internal search component and subsequently rendered in the analytics dashboard widget template without proper sanitization. This creates a persistent cross site scripting condition where attackers can inject malicious JavaScript code that executes whenever the affected page is loaded by a victim. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross site scripting weaknesses in web applications, and follows the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, access sensitive data, or redirect users to malicious websites. Given that this affects a dashboard component that likely displays sensitive analytics data, successful exploitation could provide attackers with access to business intelligence, user behavior patterns, and other valuable information. The vulnerability affects the MODX content management system's administrative interface, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or gain persistent access to the web application. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk as the XSS flaw can be leveraged for various attack scenarios including credential theft, defacement, or as a stepping stone for further exploitation within the network infrastructure.
Security mitigation for this vulnerability requires immediate upgrading to version 1.0.6 of the Sterc Google Analytics Dashboard component, as recommended in the patch identifier 855d9560d3782c105568eedf9b22a769fbf29cc0. The upgrade process should be implemented through the MODX package manager or manual installation procedures, ensuring that all instances of the affected component are updated across the deployment. Additionally, organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their web applications, particularly for components handling user-supplied data. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, and security headers such as Content Security Policy should be implemented to provide additional protection against XSS attacks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other components of the MODX ecosystem, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper sanitization practices in web application development.