CVE-2017-5515 in GeniXCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the user prompt function in GeniXCMS through 0.0.8 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via tag names.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2026
The CVE-2017-5515 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within GeniXCMS version 0.0.8 and earlier, specifically affecting the user prompt function implementation. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter or escape user-supplied data before processing tag names within the content management system. The flaw exists in the core functionality that handles user interactions and content generation, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code into the application's response. The vulnerability affects authenticated users who possess valid credentials within the system, meaning that an attacker must first gain access to legitimate user accounts to exploit this weakness, though this does not mitigate the severity of the potential impact.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when authenticated users submit specially crafted tag names through the user prompt function, which then gets processed and rendered without proper sanitization. This creates a persistent XSS vector where malicious scripts can execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims. The vulnerability stems from improper output encoding and input validation practices, where the system fails to implement adequate security controls to prevent the execution of malicious code within the web application's response. This flaw aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities resulting from insufficient input validation and output encoding. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it leverages legitimate user functionality within the CMS, making detection more challenging and the exploitation more believable to end users.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5515 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting, session manipulation, or data exfiltration from authenticated users. An attacker could craft malicious tag names that, when processed by the vulnerable function, would execute scripts designed to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform unauthorized administrative actions within the CMS. The vulnerability's presence in the user prompt function suggests that it could be exploited across multiple content areas, potentially affecting various modules or components that rely on this core functionality. This type of vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering attacks through malicious content, and T1059, which involves executing malicious code through command injection or script execution. The compromise of authenticated users' sessions through this vector could lead to complete system takeover, especially if the affected users possess administrative privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5515 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the GeniXCMS application. The most effective remediation involves implementing comprehensive sanitization of all user inputs, particularly those processed through the user prompt function, by employing strict validation rules and escaping special characters before rendering content. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application, particularly in functions that handle user-generated content or dynamic input processing. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and session management practices, including secure session handling and regular credential rotation, can help minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and ensuring that all user inputs are properly validated and sanitized before being processed or displayed within the application interface.