CVE-2018-10306 in ILIAS
Summary
by MITRE
Services/Form/classes/class.ilDateDurationInputGUI.php and Services/Form/classes/class.ilDateTimeInputGUI.php in ILIAS 5.1.x through 5.3.x before 5.3.4 allow XSS via an invalid date.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10306 affects ILIAS learning management systems version 5.1.x through 5.3.x before 5.3.4, specifically targeting the form handling components responsible for date and time input validation. This issue represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability that arises when the system processes invalid date inputs through the ilDateDurationInputGUI and ilDateTimeInputGUI classes. The flaw occurs in the user interface components that manage date and time data entry, where improper sanitization of user-provided date values allows malicious script execution within the context of the victim's browser session.
The technical root cause stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the date handling classes. When users submit malformed or invalid date values through the form interfaces, the system fails to properly sanitize these inputs before rendering them back to the user interface. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and demonstrates how insufficient validation of user-supplied data can lead to unauthorized code execution. The vulnerability manifests when the system attempts to display error messages or processed date values containing malicious script code, which then executes in the browser context of authenticated users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that can perform various harmful actions within the victim's browser session. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or execute unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users within the ILIAS environment. This presents a critical security risk for educational institutions and organizations relying on ILIAS for learning management, as the vulnerability could be exploited to compromise user accounts and potentially gain access to sensitive educational data. The attack requires minimal privileges since it leverages existing form input mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may have legitimate access to date input forms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include applying the official patch released in ILIAS version 5.3.4, which addresses the input sanitization issues in the affected date handling classes. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers including client-side and server-side validation, ensure proper output encoding for all user-supplied data, and maintain regular security updates for all components within the ILIAS platform. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, particularly those related to input validation and output encoding. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training for developers working with the ILIAS platform to prevent similar issues in custom extensions and modifications.