CVE-2018-16348 in SeaCMS
Summary
by MITRE
SeaCMS V6.61 has XSS via the admin_video.php v_content parameter, related to the site name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2020
CVE-2018-16348 represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability discovered in SeaCMS version 6.61 affecting the admin_video.php script. This vulnerability specifically targets the v_content parameter and is directly related to how the application handles site name data within its administrative interface. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with administrative privileges to inject malicious script code into the video content management system, potentially compromising the entire administrative environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the SeaCMS administrative backend. When administrators interact with the video content management features, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data passed through the v_content parameter. This parameter is directly linked to site name handling, where malicious payloads can be injected and subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected content. The vulnerability manifests as a classic reflected XSS attack vector, where the malicious script executes in the victim's browser when they navigate to pages containing the injected content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to escalate privileges and potentially gain complete control over the SeaCMS administrative interface. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to modify or delete video content, alter site configurations, access sensitive administrative data, or even establish persistent backdoors within the system. The attack requires administrative access to the system, making it particularly dangerous as it allows for privilege escalation and unauthorized modifications to critical content management functions. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where applications fail to properly encode or validate user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which involves the use of script-based languages for execution and persistence. Attackers could use this vulnerability to inject malicious scripts that maintain access to the system, steal session cookies, or redirect users to malicious sites. The attack chain typically involves the attacker first gaining administrative access through other means, then exploiting this XSS vulnerability to maintain persistent access to the content management system. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of the content management system, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-16348 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the SeaCMS application. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of SeaCMS that addresses this vulnerability, as the vendor likely released a security update containing proper sanitization routines. Additionally, implementing proper content security policies, input validation at multiple layers, and output encoding for all user-supplied data can prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate potential XSS vulnerabilities in web applications. The implementation of web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions can also provide additional protection against exploitation attempts.