CVE-2018-10033 in CMS Made Simple
Summary
by MITRE
CMS Made Simple (aka CMSMS) 2.2.7 has Stored XSS in admin/siteprefs.php via the metadata parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2018-10033 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw discovered in CMS Made Simple version 2.2.7 within the admin/siteprefs.php administrative interface. This vulnerability specifically affects the metadata parameter handling mechanism, allowing attackers to inject malicious script code that persists in the application's database and executes whenever the affected page is accessed by authenticated administrators. The flaw exists due to insufficient input validation and output sanitization of user-supplied data within the content management system's administrative configuration settings.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker with administrative privileges or the ability to submit malicious input gains access to the site preferences configuration page. The metadata parameter, which typically stores SEO-related information and other site metadata, fails to properly sanitize user input before storing it in the database. When administrators view or edit site preferences, the malicious script code is executed in their browser context, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or further privilege escalation attacks. This stored XSS vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be leveraged to compromise the entire administrative interface of the CMS.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the administrative functions of the CMS. Successful exploitation allows attackers to modify site configurations, inject malicious content, manipulate user sessions, or even escalate privileges to gain full control over the content management system. The vulnerability affects all users who can access the administrative site preferences page, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple administrators have access to the system. Organizations utilizing CMS Made Simple 2.2.7 are at significant risk of data compromise and unauthorized modifications to their websites.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-10033 should prioritize immediate patching of the CMS Made Simple application to version 2.2.8 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement input validation measures at the application level, ensuring all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before storage and output. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the impact of successful exploitation by restricting administrative access to only necessary personnel. Additionally, implementing content security policies and regular security audits can help detect and prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a significant concern under the ATT&CK framework's credential access and privilege escalation tactics.