CVE-2017-6518 in SanaCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in /sanadata/seo/index.asp in SANADATA SanaCMS 7.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the txtFrom parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2020
The CVE-2017-6518 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the SANADATA SanaCMS 7.3 content management system that exposes web applications to persistent script injection attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the /sanadata/seo/index.asp component where user input is improperly sanitized before being rendered back to web browsers. The txtFrom parameter serves as the primary attack vector, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness that enables attackers to bypass access controls and compromise user sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input through the txtFrom parameter, which is then processed by the vulnerable ASP script without proper input validation or output encoding. When legitimate users navigate to pages that display this compromised content, their browsers execute the injected scripts, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or administrative privileges to exploit this flaw, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. The attack surface extends beyond simple script execution to include potential data exfiltration and privilege escalation scenarios that align with tactics outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Web Application Attack Techniques category.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6518 extends far beyond immediate script execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent footholds within affected networks through session manipulation and credential harvesting. Organizations running SanaCMS 7.3 are vulnerable to various attack patterns including cookie theft, which can be leveraged for privilege escalation and unauthorized access to administrative functions. The vulnerability's persistence in the application's SEO component suggests that attackers can embed malicious scripts in search engine optimization parameters, making detection more challenging. This type of vulnerability typically affects web applications that fail to implement proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms, creating conditions where user-supplied data can be interpreted as executable code rather than mere text. The security implications include potential data breaches, service disruption, and compliance violations that may impact regulatory adherence and organizational security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6518 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms specifically targeting the txtFrom parameter and similar user input fields within the affected application. The solution involves sanitizing all user-supplied data before processing and ensuring that any rendered content undergoes proper HTML encoding to prevent script execution. Security patches should be applied immediately to upgrade to patched versions of SanaCMS, as the vendor would have released fixes addressing the input validation weaknesses. Additionally, implementing content security policies and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection against such attacks. Regular security assessments and code reviews should focus on identifying similar input handling patterns that could introduce comparable vulnerabilities, with particular attention to the CWE-79 classification and its associated remediation strategies. The implementation of secure coding practices and comprehensive testing procedures helps ensure that future versions of the application maintain proper data validation and prevent the recurrence of such scripting vulnerabilities.