CVE-2017-2118 in WBCE
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in WBCE CMS 1.1.10 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2118 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within WBCE CMS versions 1.1.10 and earlier, demonstrating a fundamental weakness in web application input validation and output sanitization mechanisms. This vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, where the system fails to properly validate or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. The flaw exists in the content management system's handling of user inputs across unspecified vectors, creating multiple potential attack surfaces that adversaries can exploit to execute malicious scripts within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-provided content within the CMS framework, particularly affecting how the system processes and renders dynamic web content. Attackers can leverage this weakness by injecting malicious JavaScript code, HTML fragments, or other script-based payloads through various input fields or parameters that are not properly validated or escaped before being stored or displayed. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability may affect multiple components within the CMS, including but not limited to article content fields, user profile information, comment sections, or administrative input forms. This broad attack surface increases the exploitability of the vulnerability and the potential impact on system security.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2118 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to establish persistent malicious presence within the web application environment. Successful exploitation allows adversaries to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of authenticated users, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by attackers to maintain access to compromised systems, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on WBCE CMS for content management and user interaction. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the server infrastructure, amplifying the risk to organizations with public-facing web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected WBCE CMS installations to version 1.1.11 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to address the XSS implementation flaws. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all user-facing application components, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed. Security measures should include implementing Content Security Policy headers, employing proper HTML escaping techniques, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications. The remediation process should also involve comprehensive user education regarding the risks of submitting untrusted content and the importance of keeping CMS software updated. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the necessity of robust input validation mechanisms as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security framework and ATT&CK matrix category T1203 for exploitation techniques targeting web applications.