CVE-2018-10227 in miniCMS
Summary
by MITRE
MiniCMS v1.10 has XSS via the mc-admin/conf.php site_link parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2023
MiniCMS version 1.10 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into the site_link parameter of the mc-admin/conf.php endpoint. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored XSS flaw where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in the web application's output. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to validate or escape special characters in the site_link parameter, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of other users' browsers who visit the affected page.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing script tags or other XSS vectors and submits it through the site_link parameter. When the administrative interface displays this parameter value without proper sanitization, the injected scripts execute in the browser context of authenticated users. This creates a persistent threat where any user with administrative privileges who views the configuration page becomes vulnerable to the malicious code execution. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the administrative context, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, or manipulate the CMS configuration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal administrative credentials, modify website content, or redirect users to malicious sites. The stored nature of the XSS means that the malicious payload persists in the application's database until manually removed, making it a long-term threat. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, and represents a common vector for initial access and privilege escalation in web application attacks. The impact is amplified when considering that the vulnerability affects the administrative configuration page, potentially compromising the entire content management system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on input validation and output encoding. The primary defense involves implementing proper parameter sanitization and escaping mechanisms for all user-supplied input, particularly in administrative interfaces. Applications should employ context-specific output encoding when rendering user data, ensuring that any potentially malicious content is treated as data rather than executable code. Additionally, implementing a Content Security Policy (CSP) can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and timely patch management, as this issue was resolved in subsequent versions of MiniCMS. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and monitoring of administrative interfaces to detect unusual activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.