CVE-2018-16372 in IdeaCMS
Summary
by MITRE
The issue was discovered in IdeaCMS through 2016-04-30. There is reflected XSS via the index.php?c=content&a=search kw parameter. NOTE: this product is discontinued.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16372 represents a classic reflected cross-site scripting flaw within the IdeaCMS content management system that was active until April 30, 2016. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a fundamental web application security weakness. The flaw manifests in the index.php script where the c=content&a=search parameter chain processes user input through the kw parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject harmful scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload is immediately reflected from the web server back to the user's browser without being stored on the server, which distinguishes it from persistent XSS vulnerabilities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within the kw parameter and delivers it to victims through social engineering tactics, phishing emails, or compromised web pages. When a victim clicks such a link, the malicious script executes in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to leverage the legitimate application's trust relationship with users, making the malicious payloads appear to originate from a trusted source. This characteristic aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 which covers the use of scripting languages for execution, and more broadly with T1566 which encompasses social engineering techniques that leverage web application vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to stealing session cookies, modifying page content, redirecting users to phishing sites, or even executing more sophisticated attacks like credential harvesting. Given that IdeaCMS was a discontinued product, the lack of ongoing security updates and patches makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous for any organizations still utilizing legacy installations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in web applications, as proper sanitization of user input before it is reflected back to the browser would prevent such attacks. Organizations that have migrated from IdeaCMS should ensure that no legacy installations remain operational, as these systems pose ongoing security risks. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of regular security assessments and the importance of migrating from unsupported software platforms to maintain security posture. Security teams should implement comprehensive monitoring for reflected XSS patterns and ensure that web application firewalls or similar protective measures are configured to detect and block such malicious input patterns. The discontinuation of IdeaCMS highlights the risks associated with using outdated software systems where security vulnerabilities may remain unpatched for extended periods, emphasizing the need for proper software lifecycle management and regular security audits.