CVE-2017-9068 in Revolution
Summary
by MITRE
In MODX Revolution before 2.5.7, an attacker is able to trigger Reflected XSS by injecting payloads into several fields on the setup page, as demonstrated by the database_type parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9068 affects MODX Revolution content management systems prior to version 2.5.7, representing a critical reflected cross-site scripting weakness that enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of victim browsers. This vulnerability specifically manifests on the setup page where multiple input fields fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data, creating an avenue for persistent malicious code injection that can compromise user sessions and potentially lead to full system compromise.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the MODX setup process where the database_type parameter serves as a primary injection vector. When attackers submit malicious payloads through this parameter, the application fails to properly escape or filter the input before rendering it back to the user interface, allowing the injected JavaScript code to execute in the victim's browser context. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 related to spearphishing attachments and links that leverage web-based attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal administrator credentials, manipulate the setup process to install malicious components, or redirect users to malicious websites. Given that the setup page typically requires administrative privileges to access, successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that attackers need to entice users to click on malicious links containing the crafted payloads, making this a significant threat in targeted attack scenarios.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching to version 2.5.7 or later where the input sanitization has been properly implemented. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious payloads, regular security scanning of web applications, and comprehensive input validation across all user-facing interfaces. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential damage from successful exploitation, while user education about suspicious links and attachments remains crucial for defense in depth. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly in administrative interfaces where the potential impact of exploitation is maximized.