CVE-2018-14922 in Monstra
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Monstra CMS 3.0.4 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) first name or (2) last name field in the edit profile page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14922 represents a critical security flaw in Monstra CMS version 3.0.4 that exposes the system to multiple cross-site scripting attacks. This issue affects the user profile management functionality where attackers can exploit poorly sanitized input fields to inject malicious scripts. The vulnerability specifically targets the first name and last name fields within the edit profile page, making it particularly dangerous as it directly impacts user authentication and session management capabilities. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and output encoding mechanisms that are essential for preventing malicious code execution in web applications.
From a technical perspective this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user input data within the CMS's profile editing interface. When users enter information into the first name or last name fields, the application fails to properly validate or escape the input before rendering it back to the user interface. This creates an environment where malicious actors can inject javascript code or html tags that will execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of how improper input handling can lead to severe security consequences. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no privileged access and can be exploited through simple web form submissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. When exploited, these XSS vulnerabilities can compromise the integrity of user accounts and the overall security posture of the CMS installation. Attackers could craft malicious payloads that steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even modify user profile information to propagate further attacks. The vulnerability affects any user who has access to the profile editing functionality, making it a significant risk for organizations relying on Monstra CMS for content management. This flaw directly violates the principles of secure coding practices and demonstrates the importance of implementing proper input validation and output encoding as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security risks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14922 should focus on immediate patching of the Monstra CMS to version 3.0.5 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that sanitize all user-provided data before processing, particularly for fields that are rendered back to users in web interfaces. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and proper output encoding techniques can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against XSS attacks. Security teams should also conduct thorough code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other input fields and ensure that all user-facing forms properly validate and escape data. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to detect potential XSS flaws in web applications. The remediation process should follow ATT&CK framework guidance for mitigating web application vulnerabilities, specifically focusing on techniques related to input validation and output encoding to prevent malicious script execution. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.