CVE-2017-2123 in OneThird
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in OneThird CMS v1.73 Heaven's Door and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via language.php.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2123 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within OneThird CMS version 1.73 Heaven's Door and earlier releases. This vulnerability exposes the content management system to remote code execution risks through improper input validation mechanisms. The flaw specifically resides in the language.php file which fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied input before processing and rendering content within web pages. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that get executed in the context of other users' browsers when they access affected pages. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be leveraged by threat actors without requiring authentication or privileged access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient output encoding and input validation practices within the CMS framework. The language.php component processes language parameters without proper sanitization, allowing malicious scripts to be injected and subsequently executed when the application renders localized content. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without adequate validation or encoding. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through standard web requests and does not require complex exploitation techniques. The vulnerability demonstrates poor secure coding practices where input from external sources is directly used in dynamic content generation without proper security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2123 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement scenarios. Successful exploitation can enable attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within user sessions, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability affects the entire user base of affected CMS installations, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on this platform. Depending on the user permissions within the CMS, attackers might gain access to administrative functions or sensitive content. The vulnerability can be exploited across different browser platforms and operating systems, amplifying its potential impact. This flaw can also serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, including privilege escalation or lateral movement within network environments where the CMS is deployed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2123 should focus on immediate remediation through official patches provided by the CMS vendor. Organizations must prioritize upgrading to versions that address this vulnerability, as the affected OneThird CMS releases are no longer supported. Implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application code can serve as temporary compensating controls. Web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious script injection attempts targeting the language.php endpoint. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application stack. The remediation process should also include comprehensive code reviews focusing on data sanitization practices and adherence to secure coding guidelines. Organizations should implement automated monitoring solutions to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education regarding phishing and social engineering tactics that might accompany such attacks remains crucial for overall security posture strengthening.