CVE-2018-1000087 in WolfCMS
Summary
by MITRE
WolfCMS version version 0.8.3.1 contains a Reflected Cross Site Scripting vulnerability in "Create New File" and "Create New Directory" input box from 'files' Tab that can result in Session Hijacking, Spread Worms,Control the browser remotely. . This attack appear to be exploitable via Attacker can execute the JavaScript into the "Create New File" and "Create New Directory" input box from 'files'.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1000087 affects WolfCMS version 0.8.3.1 and represents a reflected cross site scripting flaw within the file management functionality of the content management system. This security weakness exists specifically within the "Create New File" and "Create New Directory" input fields located in the 'files' tab of the administrative interface. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or encode user-supplied data before rendering it back to the browser. Attackers can exploit this flaw by injecting malicious javascript code into the vulnerable input fields, which then gets executed in the context of other users' browsers who subsequently view the affected content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross site scripting flaws as weaknesses that allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload is reflected back to the user through the application's response rather than being stored permanently, making it particularly dangerous in web applications where user input is processed and displayed without proper sanitization. The attack vector requires an attacker to convince a victim to navigate to a specially crafted URL or click on a malicious link that contains the XSS payload, which then executes in the victim's browser when they interact with the vulnerable file management interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution and can lead to serious security consequences including session hijacking, where attackers can steal user authentication tokens and impersonate legitimate users within the CMS. The vulnerability also enables the spread of worms through automated exploitation mechanisms that can propagate the malicious script across multiple user sessions and potentially to other systems within the same network. Additionally, the ability to control browsers remotely through XSS attacks allows attackers to perform actions such as modifying content, stealing sensitive data, redirecting users to malicious sites, or even installing malware on the victim's system. The severity of this vulnerability is compounded by the fact that it affects the core file management functionality, which is frequently accessed by administrators and authorized users, increasing the potential attack surface and impact.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data within the file management interface, particularly in the create file and create directory functionality. The implementation of proper content security policies and the use of secure coding practices such as HTML escaping and context-aware output encoding should be enforced throughout the application. Regular security updates and patches should be applied to ensure the CMS remains protected against known vulnerabilities. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect and alert on suspicious user activities and potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input sanitization mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection against similar XSS vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following security best practices such as the OWASP Top Ten guidelines and implementing defense in depth strategies to protect web applications from persistent cross site scripting attacks.