CVE-2018-14970 in QCMS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in QCMS 3.0.1. upload/System/Controller/backend/slideshow.php has XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14970 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within QCMS version 3.0.1, specifically located in the upload/System/Controller/backend/slideshow.php file. This issue exposes the content management system to potential malicious attacks where unauthorized users can inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the backend slideshow management controller, creating an avenue for attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of affected user sessions. Such a flaw fundamentally undermines the security posture of the CMS by enabling persistent or reflected cross-site scripting attacks that can compromise user data and browser sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is directly rendered in the slideshow.php controller without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable script, get executed in the browsers of unsuspecting users who view the affected content. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The weakness manifests when the application fails to properly escape or encode user-controllable data before incorporating it into dynamically generated HTML content, allowing attackers to inject malicious script tags that execute within the victim's browser context. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites.
The operational consequences of CVE-2018-14970 are significant for organizations relying on QCMS 3.0.1 for their web content management needs. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to administrative functions, data exfiltration, and potential complete system compromise if attackers can leverage the XSS vulnerability to gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects both authenticated and unauthenticated users depending on the specific implementation details of how the slideshow functionality is exposed. From an attack perspective, this flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers the use of script-based commands and T1566.001 which involves the delivery of malicious content through web applications. Organizations may experience reputational damage, regulatory compliance issues, and potential financial losses due to the exposure of sensitive user data or system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the affected application components. The fix requires sanitizing all user-supplied data before rendering it in the slideshow.php controller and implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive code reviews focusing on all file upload and backend controller scripts to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, applying the latest security patches provided by QCMS developers, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments can significantly reduce the attack surface. The remediation process should align with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST SP 800-53 guidelines for web application security controls, ensuring that proper input sanitization and output encoding are consistently applied across all user-controllable data pathways within the application.