CVE-2018-10221 in WUZHI
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in WUZHI CMS V4.1.0. There is a persistent XSS vulnerability that can steal the administrator cookies via the tag[tag] parameter to the index.php?m=tags&f=index&v=add&&_su=wuzhicms URI. After a website editor (whose privilege is lower than the administrator) logs in, he can add a new TAGS with the XSS payload.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10221 represents a critical persistent cross-site scripting flaw within WUZHI CMS version 4.1.0 that directly compromises administrative security through a sophisticated attack vector targeting the tag management functionality. This vulnerability exists in the specific URI path index.php?m=tags&f=index&v=add&&_su=wuzhicms where the application fails to properly sanitize user input submitted through the tag[tag] parameter. The flaw allows malicious actors with editor-level privileges to inject malicious JavaScript code that persists within the application's tag system, creating a persistent threat that can affect all users who interact with the vulnerable tags. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates through a legitimate administrative function that editors routinely use to manage website content, making the attack surface both accessible and potentially undetected within normal administrative workflows.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the application's insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the tag management component. When an editor submits a new tag containing malicious JavaScript payload through the vulnerable parameter, the system stores this input without proper encoding or validation, allowing the script to execute whenever the tag is rendered or displayed within the application interface. This persistent nature means that the malicious code becomes embedded within the CMS database and executes each time the affected tag is accessed, providing attackers with a reliable mechanism for cookie theft and session hijacking. The vulnerability specifically targets the administrative session management by enabling attackers to capture administrator cookies, which could then be used to impersonate administrative users and gain full control over the website's backend functionality. This represents a classic case of CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, where user-controllable data is directly incorporated into web pages without adequate sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as it creates a persistent backdoor for attackers to maintain access to compromised websites while potentially escalating privileges through the stolen administrative credentials. Once an attacker successfully captures administrator cookies, they can perform any action within the CMS, including modifying content, adding new users, changing security settings, or even installing malicious plugins that could further compromise the entire website infrastructure. The attack requires minimal sophistication since editors typically have legitimate access to the tag management functionality, making it easier for attackers to exploit this vulnerability through social engineering or by compromising an editor account. The persistent nature of the XSS payload means that the vulnerability remains active even after the initial exploitation, continuously harvesting cookies and potentially enabling long-term surveillance or manipulation of the website's content and administrative functions.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement multiple layers of defense to protect against exploitation attempts. The primary mitigation involves implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before it is stored or rendered within the application interface. This includes applying proper HTML entity encoding to all tag names and content to prevent script execution, as well as implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities within the application context. Additionally, organizations should enforce strict privilege separation between editor and administrator accounts, ensuring that editors cannot access administrative functions that could be leveraged for cookie theft or privilege escalation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits and penetration testing of content management systems, particularly focusing on user input handling within administrative interfaces. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript and T1531 - Account Access Removal, as it enables both code execution through JavaScript and potential account compromise through cookie theft. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns that could indicate XSS attempts, while maintaining detailed logging of all tag management activities to detect unauthorized exploitation attempts.