CVE-2018-12658 in SLiMS 8 Akasia
Summary
by MITRE
Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) exists in the Stock Take module in SLiMS 8 Akasia 8.3.1 via an admin/modules/stock_take/index.php?keywords= URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-12658 represents a reflected cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Stock Take module of SLiMS 8 Akasia version 8.3.1. This issue specifically manifests within the administrative interface at the path admin/modules/stock_take/index.php where the keywords parameter is improperly handled. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, creating a significant security risk for systems utilizing this software version.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the stock take module's handling of user-supplied data. When administrators navigate to the specified URI with a malicious keywords parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before rendering it in the web response. This creates an opportunity for attackers to craft malicious payloads that execute within the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized administrative actions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability compromises the integrity of the SLiMS 8 Akasia system's administrative interface. An attacker could exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access to sensitive inventory data, manipulate stock records, or escalate privileges within the system. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious script must be delivered through a crafted URL, making it particularly dangerous in phishing attacks or when users are tricked into clicking malicious links. The vulnerability affects the entire administrative module and could potentially impact the broader system if attackers can leverage it to gain additional access privileges.
The weakness aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a critical security flaw in web applications. This classification reflects the fundamental nature of the vulnerability as an input validation issue where user-provided data is directly reflected back to users without proper sanitization. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1213 which covers data from information repositories, as attackers could potentially extract sensitive inventory information through this vector. Organizations using SLiMS 8 Akasia 8.3.1 should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and proper parameter handling to prevent exploitation. The recommended approach involves implementing strict validation of all user inputs, particularly those used in URL parameters, and ensuring that all output is properly escaped before rendering in web pages. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and regular security audits can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities in the future.