CVE-2017-9609 in BlackCat
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Blackcat CMS 1.2 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the map_language parameter to backend/pages/lang_settings.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9609 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Blackcat CMS version 1.2 that exposes the system to remote code execution through user input manipulation. This vulnerability specifically affects the backend/pages/lang_settings.php component where the map_language parameter fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response. The flaw exists in the context of authenticated users, meaning that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials to exploit this vulnerability, though the impact remains significant as it allows for persistent malicious code injection within the CMS environment.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without adequate validation or sanitization. This weakness enables attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or data manipulation within the CMS. The vulnerability occurs because the application fails to implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms when processing the map_language parameter, allowing malicious payloads to be stored and subsequently executed whenever the affected page is accessed by authenticated users.
Operationally, this vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by attackers who have gained access to legitimate user accounts within the Blackcat CMS environment. The impact extends beyond simple script injection as it can enable attackers to modify language settings, potentially redirecting users to malicious sites or injecting malicious code that persists across multiple user sessions. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish backdoors, harvest user credentials, or manipulate content within the CMS, particularly affecting the administrative functionality that manages language settings. The authenticated nature of the exploit means that the attacker requires valid login credentials but once obtained, can maintain persistent access and execute malicious operations without requiring additional authentication.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the Blackcat CMS to version 1.3 or later where the XSS flaw has been addressed through proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation that filters or escapes special characters within the map_language parameter to prevent script injection attempts. Additionally, security measures should include regular security audits of CMS components, implementation of web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, and mandatory security training for administrators to recognize potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically addressing the execution of malicious code through web application interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls to limit the impact of authenticated user accounts that may be compromised, ensuring that even if an attacker gains access, the scope of potential damage remains constrained through proper access control mechanisms.