CVE-2017-8780 in GeniXCMS
Summary
by MITRE
GeniXCMS 1.0.2 has XSS triggered by a comment that is mishandled during a publish operation by an administrator, as demonstrated by a malformed P element.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2022
GeniXCMS version 1.0.2 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that arises from improper handling of user comments during the publishing process by administrators. This vulnerability specifically manifests when an administrator publishes a comment containing malformed html elements, particularly the p element, which creates an opportunity for malicious script execution in the context of a victim's browser. The flaw represents a classic input validation and output encoding issue where user-supplied content is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages the privileged position of administrators, who typically have elevated permissions and access to publish content. When an administrator processes a malicious comment containing script tags within a p element, the system fails to properly escape or filter the content, allowing the malicious code to execute in the browsers of other users who view the published content. This creates a persistent XSS attack scenario where the malicious payload can affect multiple users without requiring them to perform any additional actions beyond viewing the compromised page. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security practices in content management systems where administrative functions do not adequately validate or sanitize user inputs. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, and the execution of arbitrary commands on affected systems. Attackers could exploit this to steal administrator sessions, modify content, or redirect users to malicious websites. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can be used to establish a foothold for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which involves the use of scripting languages to execute commands, and T1566 which covers social engineering tactics including the manipulation of content to deliver malicious payloads. Organizations using GeniXCMS 1.0.2 should immediately implement input validation measures, proper output encoding, and content sanitization to prevent the execution of malicious scripts. The recommended mitigations include implementing strict content validation rules that reject or sanitize malformed html elements, particularly p tags, during comment processing. Additionally, administrators should be educated about the risks of publishing untrusted content and the importance of proper input sanitization before content publication. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security updates and patch management for content management systems, as this issue was likely resolved in subsequent versions of GeniXCMS. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and additional security controls to detect and prevent such attacks. The risk assessment should include monitoring for suspicious comment patterns and implementing automated scanning tools to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. This vulnerability underscores the critical need for robust security controls in web applications, particularly those handling user-generated content, as it demonstrates how privileged user actions can create security risks that affect the entire user base. The flaw also represents a failure in the principle of least privilege and input validation, where the system does not adequately protect against malicious input even from trusted administrators.