CVE-2017-9070 in Revolution
Summary
by MITRE
In MODX Revolution before 2.5.7, a user with resource edit permissions can inject an XSS payload into the title of any post via the pagetitle parameter to connectors/index.php.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9070 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within MODX Revolution content management system prior to version 2.5.7. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's connector interface, specifically affecting the pagetitle parameter handling. The vulnerability allows authenticated users with resource edit permissions to inject malicious javascript payloads into page titles, which can then be executed in the context of other users' browsers when they view affected content. This represents a significant security risk as it leverages the trust relationship between the user and the application to deliver malicious code to unsuspecting victims.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the connectors/index.php endpoint which processes user input without proper sanitization of the pagetitle parameter. When a user with resource edit privileges submits a page title containing malicious javascript code, the system fails to adequately filter or escape the input before storing or rendering it. This creates a persistent XSS vector where the injected payload becomes part of the page title and executes whenever the page is accessed by other users. The vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interface where resource titles are managed, making it particularly dangerous as it can be used to compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. The flaw aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as improper neutralization of input during web output.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, defacement of content, and data exfiltration from authenticated users. An attacker could craft malicious payloads that steal cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even inject additional malicious code that could escalate privileges within the application. The vulnerability affects users who have resource edit permissions, which typically includes content editors and administrators, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have elevated access levels. This issue demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and highlights how seemingly benign parameters like page titles can become attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrade to MODX Revolution version 2.5.7 or later where the XSS protection has been implemented. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures such as content security policies that restrict script execution, regular input validation checks, and monitoring of user activity for suspicious submissions. The principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit which users have resource edit permissions, reducing the attack surface. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar input validation flaws in other components of the application stack. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing comprehensive input sanitization at all levels of application development, particularly in content management systems where user-generated content is processed and rendered.