CVE-2018-15580 in GNUBOARD5
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in adm/contentformupdate.php in gnuboard5 before 5.3.1.6 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15580 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the gnuboard5 content management system prior to version 5.3.1.6. This vulnerability exists within the adm/contentformupdate.php file, which serves as a critical administrative component responsible for handling content form updates and modifications. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code into the application's user interface, potentially compromising the security of all users interacting with the affected system. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly sanitize user inputs before incorporating them into web pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input that gets processed by the vulnerable adm/contentformupdate.php script without proper sanitization or validation. When legitimate users view the affected web page, their browsers execute the injected malicious code, which can lead to various security consequences including session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the administrative content management functionality, potentially allowing attackers to modify content, manipulate user data, or escalate privileges within the system. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks according to OWASP security guidelines.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations utilizing gnuboard5 systems, as it can be exploited by attackers without requiring authentication or specific user interaction beyond visiting compromised pages. The impact extends beyond simple script injection, as attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to the system through session manipulation or by redirecting users to phishing sites. The administrative nature of the affected file means that successful exploitation could allow attackers to modify content, alter user permissions, or even inject backdoors into the system. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, which describes how adversaries use JavaScript to execute malicious code in web browsers. Organizations running affected versions of gnuboard5 face potential data breaches, service disruption, and reputational damage if this vulnerability is exploited.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrading to gnuboard5 version 5.3.1.6 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms should be enforced throughout the application to prevent similar issues in the future. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to add an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and following secure coding practices that align with industry standards such as those defined by the Open Web Application Security Project and the International Organization for Standardization's security frameworks.