CVE-2018-16624 in Kirby
Summary
by MITRE
panel/pages/home/edit in Kirby v2.5.12 allows XSS via the title of a new page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16624 affects Kirby CMS version 2.5.12 and represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the administrative panel interface. This issue specifically targets the page editing functionality located at panel/pages/home/edit, where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to the browser. The vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious title for a new page that contains script tags or other malicious code, which then executes in the context of other users who view the affected page within the CMS interface.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored XSS attack vector where malicious code persists in the application's data store and executes whenever the affected content is displayed. The flaw exists due to insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the CMS's administrative interface, allowing untrusted data to be processed and rendered without proper sanitization. The attack surface is limited to authenticated users with administrative privileges who have access to the page editing functionality, making it a privilege escalation concern that could potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of other administrators.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it could enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, or redirect them to malicious sites. In a typical scenario, an attacker with access to the CMS administrative panel could create a malicious page title containing JavaScript code that would execute whenever other administrators view the page listing or edit interface. This could lead to complete compromise of the CMS administrative account, potentially allowing full control over the website content, user management, and configuration settings. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the trusted administrative context, making it difficult to detect and potentially allowing for persistent backdoor access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-16624 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the CMS administrative interface. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of Kirby CMS where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper sanitization of user input. The fix typically involves implementing strict HTML escaping for all user-provided content before rendering it in the interface, ensuring that any potentially malicious script tags are neutralized. Additionally, implementing content security policies and restricting administrative access through network segmentation can provide defense-in-depth measures. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly focusing on preventing injection attacks and maintaining proper input sanitization across all application components. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious administrative activities to detect potential exploitation attempts.