CVE-2017-9674 in SimpleCE
Summary
by MITRE
In SimpleCE 2.3.0, an authenticated XSS vulnerability was found on index.php/content/text/1?return_url=[XSS] exploitable as a regular or admin user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9674 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within SimpleCE version 2.3.0, specifically affecting the index.php/content/text/1 endpoint. This issue demonstrates a classic input validation failure where user-supplied data is inadequately sanitized before being rendered in web responses, creating an exploitable vector for malicious actors to inject arbitrary script code into the application's output. The vulnerability's presence in the content management system's text handling functionality suggests a fundamental weakness in how the platform processes and displays user-generated content, particularly when the return_url parameter is manipulated.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the return_url parameter within the specified URL structure, allowing an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes within the context of a victim's browser session. This authenticated XSS vulnerability can be leveraged by both regular users and administrators, significantly expanding the potential attack surface and impact scope. The flaw resides in the application's failure to properly encode or escape user input before incorporating it into dynamic web page content, creating a persistent threat vector that can be used for session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a critical web application security weakness.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to establish persistent footholds within the application environment. An authenticated attacker can leverage this weakness to execute malicious code in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to full account compromise, data exfiltration, or the ability to perform privileged actions within the SimpleCE application. The fact that both regular users and administrators can exploit this vulnerability means that an attacker only needs to compromise a single user account to potentially escalate privileges and gain administrative access to the entire content management system. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of the application's data and user sessions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9674 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the SimpleCE application. The most effective immediate solution involves proper sanitization of all user-supplied input parameters, particularly those used in URL redirection contexts, through the application of context-appropriate encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding for output rendering. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution. Organizations should also consider implementing proper access controls and monitoring for unusual activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege, as the ability for regular users to exploit administrative functions represents a significant architectural flaw that should be addressed through comprehensive security hardening measures. This issue underscores the necessity of regular security assessments and the implementation of automated input validation frameworks to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future releases.