CVE-2018-12339 in ArticleCMS
Summary
by MITRE
ArticleCMS through 2017-02-19 has XSS via an "add an article" action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2020
CVE-2018-12339 represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability discovered in ArticleCMS version 2017-02-19 and earlier, allowing remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications through the article submission functionality. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a reflected XSS attack vector that occurs when user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered back to users. The flaw exists within the "add an article" action where the application fails to adequately filter or escape user-supplied content, creating an opening for malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability's impact is significant as it enables attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, deface websites, or redirect users to malicious domains. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, and T1531 for Account Access Removal, as it can be leveraged to compromise user credentials and session tokens. The technical exploitation requires minimal privileges as attackers only need to submit malicious content through the legitimate article submission interface, making this a particularly dangerous vulnerability for content management systems that rely on user-generated content. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in web applications that handle sensitive data or user authentication, as the injected scripts can persistently execute in victims' browsers and potentially escalate to more severe attacks. Organizations using ArticleCMS should prioritize immediate patching and implementation of input validation measures to prevent unauthorized script execution. The remediation strategy should include proper output encoding, content security policies, and comprehensive input sanitization techniques to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future iterations of the application. Security teams should also implement web application firewalls and monitor for suspicious submissions to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in web applications and aligns with OWASP Top Ten category A03: Injection, emphasizing the need for robust security controls in user-facing application components. The flaw underscores the necessity of implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include both server-side validation and client-side security measures to protect against persistent XSS threats.