CVE-2017-6066 in Subrion CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Subrion CMS 4.0.5 has CSRF in admin/languages/edit/1/. The attacker can perform any Edit Language action, and can optionally insert XSS via the title parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6066 affects Subrion CMS version 4.0.5 and represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within the administrative language editing functionality. This issue exists at the specific endpoint admin/languages/edit/1/ which allows unauthorized attackers to manipulate language settings through forged requests. The vulnerability stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF tokens or validation mechanisms in the administrative interface, enabling malicious actors to execute unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated administrators. The flaw specifically targets the language editing module where attackers can modify language configurations without proper authorization, potentially compromising the entire content management system's internationalization features.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic CSRF attack vector where the attacker crafts a malicious request that, when executed by an authenticated administrator, modifies language settings in the CMS. The vulnerability extends beyond simple administrative manipulation as it includes a secondary XSS injection capability through the title parameter, creating a more dangerous attack surface. This dual nature means that an attacker could not only modify language configurations but also inject malicious scripts that would execute in the context of the administrator's browser session. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the administrative interface, which typically requires elevated privileges and represents a high-value target for attackers seeking persistent access to the CMS.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with unauthorized administrative capabilities within the Subrion CMS environment. Successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of the content management system, allowing attackers to modify language files, potentially inject malicious code, and manipulate user-facing content. The inclusion of XSS capability through the title parameter amplifies the threat model, as administrators who view affected language entries could be subjected to script execution attacks. This creates opportunities for attackers to harvest session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or establish persistent backdoors within the CMS infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of the CMS, potentially leading to data corruption or complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6066 should focus on implementing proper anti-CSRF protection mechanisms within the Subrion CMS administrative interface. The most effective approach involves ensuring that all administrative actions require valid anti-CSRF tokens that are tied to the user session and validated on each request. Additionally, input sanitization and validation should be enforced on all parameters, particularly the title field, to prevent XSS injection attacks. Organizations should implement proper session management practices including secure cookie attributes, session timeout mechanisms, and regular session invalidation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery, and may map to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage when the XSS component executes malicious code. Updates to Subrion CMS version 4.0.6 or later should be implemented immediately to address this vulnerability, as the original version contains no protection against such attacks.