CVE-2017-9252 in FineCMS
Summary
by MITRE
andrzuk/FineCMS through 2017-05-28 is vulnerable to a reflected XSS in the search page via the text-search parameter to index.php in a route=search action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9252 affects the andrzuk/FineCMS content management system version 2017-05-28 and earlier, representing a critical reflected cross-site scripting flaw that compromises user security. This vulnerability exists within the search functionality of the application where user input is not properly sanitized before being reflected back to the browser. The specific attack vector involves the text-search parameter passed through the index.php file when the route parameter is set to search, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the application's response.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the search page functionality. When a user submits a search query through the text-search parameter, the application fails to sanitize or escape the input before incorporating it into the HTML response. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers who view the search results page. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious script is reflected off the web server and delivered to the victim, making it particularly dangerous as it can be delivered through phishing emails, malicious links, or compromised websites that direct users to the vulnerable search functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the context of authenticated users. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface the application interface, or even execute more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft or privilege escalation. The vulnerability affects all users who interact with the search functionality, making it a significant risk for applications handling sensitive data or user authentication. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Phishing through the potential for attackers to craft malicious search queries that users might inadvertently click on.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's search functionality. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user input before processing or displaying it, particularly when incorporating search parameters into HTML responses. Implementing proper Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other parts of the application. The most effective remediation involves updating the FineCMS application to a version that addresses this specific vulnerability, as well as implementing a robust web application firewall that can detect and block malicious search queries before they reach the vulnerable code path. Organizations should also consider implementing automated security scanning tools that can identify reflected XSS vulnerabilities in their web applications, and establish security awareness training for developers to prevent similar issues in future application development cycles.