CVE-2017-8762 in GeniXCMS
Summary
by MITRE
GeniXCMS 1.0.2 has XSS triggered by an authenticated user who submits a page, as demonstrated by a crafted oncut attribute in a B element.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2022
CVE-2017-8762 represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability within GeniXCMS version 1.0.2 that exploits a weakness in input validation and output sanitization mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically affects authenticated users who can submit pages to the system, making it particularly concerning for content management environments where user privileges are granted. The flaw manifests when a malicious user crafts a specially formatted B element with a crafted oncut attribute, which then gets executed in the context of other users' browsers. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output sanitization, where malicious scripts are injected into web applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic XSS attack vector through the manipulation of HTML attributes within the content management system's page submission functionality. When the authenticated user submits a page containing the malicious B element with the oncut attribute, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before rendering it in the user interface. The oncut attribute in HTML is an event handler that executes JavaScript code when a user cuts content from an element, making it a prime target for XSS exploitation. The vulnerability requires authentication to exploit, which reduces the attack surface compared to fully unauthenticated XSS flaws, but still represents a significant security risk within the application's trusted user base. This particular attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213 which involves data from information repositories and demonstrates how authenticated access can be leveraged to perform privilege escalation through code injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it allows attackers to potentially steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, or redirect victims to malicious sites. Within the context of GeniXCMS, this vulnerability could enable an attacker to modify content, access sensitive administrative functions, or compromise other users' sessions. The authenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers must first gain legitimate user credentials, but once obtained, they can leverage this vulnerability to escalate their privileges and maintain persistent access. This vulnerability represents a significant concern for organizations relying on GeniXCMS for content management, as it undermines the trust model that authenticated sessions are supposed to provide. The impact is particularly severe in environments where content management systems are used for sensitive data handling, as this vulnerability could be used to access confidential information or manipulate published content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8762 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output sanitization mechanisms throughout the application's content handling pipeline. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of GeniXCMS, as the vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases through proper HTML attribute sanitization and event handler escaping. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting script execution and limiting the sources from which content can be loaded. The security team should also conduct regular security assessments of the content management system, including thorough input validation testing and automated scanning for similar vulnerabilities. Implementing proper access controls and monitoring for unusual content submission patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious input patterns, and establish secure coding practices that emphasize proper HTML escaping and attribute validation for all user-submitted content. The vulnerability highlights the importance of validating and sanitizing all user inputs, particularly in systems that allow authenticated users to submit content, as this represents a common attack vector for privilege escalation in web applications.