CVE-2018-16350 in WUZHI
Summary
by MITRE
WUZHI CMS 4.1.0 has XSS via the index.php?m=core&f=set&v=basic form[statcode] parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-16350 affects WUZHI CMS version 4.1.0 and represents a cross-site scripting flaw that allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. This vulnerability exists within the administrative interface of the content management system where the parameter 'statcode' in the URL path index.php?m=core&f=set&v=basic form[statcode] is not properly sanitized or validated. The flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or further compromise of the web application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the WUZHI CMS codebase. When administrators or authenticated users visit the specific management page that handles statistical code configuration, the application fails to properly escape or sanitize user-supplied input from the statcode parameter. This creates an environment where malicious payloads can be stored and subsequently executed when the page is rendered, making it a classic stored cross-site scripting vulnerability. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as the failure to properly encode output, and specifically maps to CWE-79.1 which addresses stored XSS in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks. An attacker who can successfully exploit this vulnerability can establish persistent access to the administrative interface, modify website content, steal session cookies, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the web application, as it allows unauthorized modification of the CMS configuration and potentially the entire website. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain where initial access is gained through XSS, followed by privilege escalation or lateral movement within the compromised environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-16350 should focus on immediate patching of the WUZHI CMS application to version 4.1.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their web applications, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being stored or rendered. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious parameter values in administrative interfaces, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application stack. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, particularly those related to input validation and output encoding. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads targeting known XSS vulnerabilities.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing comprehensive security controls in web applications. It serves as a reminder that even seemingly minor configuration parameters can represent significant security risks when proper validation and sanitization practices are not implemented. The attack surface for web applications continues to expand with the increasing complexity of modern CMS platforms, making regular security assessments and prompt patch management essential for maintaining robust security postures.