CVE-2018-13865 in iCMS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in idreamsoft iCMS 7.0.9. XSS exists via the callback parameter in a public/api.php uploadpic request, bypassing the iWAF protection mechanism.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13865 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the idreamsoft iCMS content management system version 7.0.9. This security weakness specifically manifests in the public/api.php endpoint when processing uploadpic requests, where the callback parameter fails to properly sanitize user input. The vulnerability's significance is compounded by its ability to bypass the integrated iWAF (integrated Web Application Firewall) protection mechanisms that are typically designed to prevent such attacks. The flaw demonstrates a critical oversight in the application's input validation and output encoding processes, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the application's response. This particular vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where untrusted data is improperly sanitized before being rendered in web pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing script code within the callback parameter of the uploadpic API request. The application processes this parameter without adequate sanitization, allowing the malicious script to be executed in the context of a victim's browser session. The bypass of iWAF protection indicates that the application's security controls are either misconfigured or insufficiently robust to detect and block this particular attack vector. This represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture, where the protection mechanisms fail to properly validate or sanitize inputs that are known to be susceptible to XSS attacks. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning as it affects a core API endpoint that handles file upload operations, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code or steal sensitive information from authenticated users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the application environment. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to perform actions such as stealing user session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or even executing additional payloads that could compromise the entire application infrastructure. The bypass of iWAF protection specifically undermines the security posture of systems relying on this CMS, as organizations may have false confidence in their protection mechanisms. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the use of script-based commands, and could potentially be leveraged for credential theft or lateral movement within affected networks. The attack surface is further expanded as the vulnerability exists in a publicly accessible API endpoint, making it easily discoverable and exploitable by threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. Organizations should immediately patch the identified vulnerability through the vendor's official update channels and ensure that all instances of iCMS 7.0.9 are upgraded to a patched version. The application's security controls must be re-evaluated and strengthened to prevent similar bypasses of WAF protection mechanisms. Implementing proper content security policies and ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped before rendering in web responses will significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their web applications to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other components. The incident highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security measures and not relying solely on automated protection mechanisms that can be bypassed through well-crafted attack vectors. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to ensure that applications maintain robust defenses against evolving threat landscapes.