CVE-2018-12919 in CraftedWeb
Summary
by MITRE
In CraftedWeb through 2013-09-24, aasp_includes/pages/notice.php allows XSS via the e parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12919 resides within the CraftedWeb content management system, specifically affecting versions through 2013-09-24. This security flaw manifests in the aasp_includes/pages/notice.php script where user-supplied input through the e parameter is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered in the web application's output. The vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. This particular implementation fails to implement adequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms, creating an exploitable condition where malicious payloads can be executed in the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows the standard XSS attack pattern where an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within the e parameter of the notice.php endpoint. When a victim accesses this specially crafted URL, the malicious script executes in their browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding. This particular instance demonstrates a failure in implementing proper context-aware output encoding, where the application does not distinguish between different contexts such as HTML attributes, script contexts, or URL parameters when rendering user-provided content.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-12919 extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the victim's browser environment. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, or redirect users to phishing sites that mimic legitimate application interfaces. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it affects a core component of the web application's user interface, potentially allowing for persistent XSS attacks that could remain undetected for extended periods. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering through malicious content delivery, and T1059 which encompasses command and scripting interpreter execution within compromised environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding practices throughout the application stack. The most effective remediation involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through proper validation routines and implementing context-appropriate output encoding before rendering any user-provided content. The application should employ Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Additionally, developers should implement proper parameter validation using allowlists rather than denylists, ensuring that only expected input formats are accepted. Regular security code reviews and automated scanning tools should be deployed to identify similar vulnerabilities across the entire codebase. The fix should also include implementing proper error handling that prevents sensitive information disclosure and ensures that user input is properly escaped for the specific context in which it will be displayed, thereby addressing the fundamental weakness identified in the CWE-79 category.