CVE-2018-10665 in ILIAS
Summary
by MITRE
ILIAS 5.3.4 has XSS through unsanitized output of PHP_SELF, related to shib_logout.php and third-party demo files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10665 affects ILIAS version 5.3.4 and represents a cross-site scripting flaw that stems from improper input sanitization within the application's handling of the PHP_SELF variable. This issue specifically manifests in the shib_logout.php file and extends to third-party demo components, creating a potential attack vector for malicious actors seeking to exploit web application vulnerabilities. The flaw resides in the application's failure to properly sanitize user-controllable input before rendering it in the web response, thereby allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. This particular vulnerability demonstrates a classic weakness in web application security where server-side variables containing user input are directly incorporated into output without appropriate validation or encoding measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper use of the PHP_SELF server variable, which contains the filename of the currently executing script. When ILIAS processes this variable without adequate sanitization, it creates an environment where malicious input can be injected and subsequently executed by other users accessing the affected pages. The attack typically requires an attacker to craft a malicious URL containing script code that gets processed through the shib_logout.php endpoint or other vulnerable demo components. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices that mandate proper input validation and output encoding. This particular implementation follows the ATT&CK framework's technique T1203, where adversaries leverage web application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code in user browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking or data theft.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, or redirect victims to malicious sites. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of authenticated users, potentially leading to complete compromise of user sessions and unauthorized access to sensitive data within the ILIAS learning management system. The presence of this flaw in demo files suggests that organizations may be vulnerable even when not actively using the full application features, as these components often remain accessible during testing or deployment phases. The vulnerability's persistence in a widely-used educational platform like ILIAS creates significant risk for organizations relying on the system for training, course management, and user authentication, as successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to student records, course materials, and administrative functions. Organizations must consider that the vulnerability could be exploited by both external attackers seeking to compromise the platform and internal malicious actors with access to the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-10665 should prioritize immediate patching of the ILIAS application to version 5.3.5 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the XSS vulnerability. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation measures that sanitize all server variables including PHP_SELF before rendering them in web output, following secure coding guidelines that align with OWASP Top Ten recommendations for preventing XSS attacks. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts even if the primary vulnerability is not fully addressed. Regular security assessments of web applications should include testing for similar input sanitization vulnerabilities, particularly in server variables and user-controllable parameters. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious requests that attempt to exploit known XSS patterns in the application's URL handling. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper security controls around server-side variable handling, as these issues often represent the weakest link in web application security architectures. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious script execution patterns and unauthorized access attempts that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.