CVE-2018-16628 in Kirby
Summary
by MITRE
panel/login in Kirby v2.5.12 allows XSS via a blog name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2018-16628 represents a cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Kirby CMS version 2.5.12 within the panel login functionality. This issue specifically affects the blog name parameter handling during authentication processes, creating a persistent vector for malicious code execution. The vulnerability resides in the panel/login endpoint where user-supplied blog name inputs are not properly sanitized or validated before being processed and rendered back to the user interface. This oversight enables attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of authenticated users' browsers, potentially compromising the entire administrative session.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the Kirby CMS authentication framework. When users attempt to log in through the panel interface, the system accepts blog name parameters without adequate sanitization measures. The blog name field serves as an entry point where malicious payloads can be embedded, particularly when the application fails to properly escape special characters or filter out potentially dangerous input sequences. This flaw aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with opportunities to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. An attacker could craft malicious blog names containing javascript payloads that execute when the login page renders or when administrative panels display user-provided content. The vulnerability affects the entire user session, potentially allowing attackers to modify content, delete files, or establish persistent access to the CMS. This represents a critical security risk particularly for organizations relying on Kirby CMS for content management, as it undermines the integrity of the authentication system and could lead to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-16628 require immediate patching of the affected Kirby CMS version to the latest available release that addresses the input validation flaw. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization routines that filter out or escape potentially dangerous characters before processing user-supplied data. The fix should include comprehensive output encoding for all blog name parameters displayed in the panel interface, ensuring that any potentially malicious content is rendered harmless. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough input validation checks across all user-facing forms and administrative interfaces within the CMS. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for credential access through web application vulnerabilities, emphasizing the need for robust input validation to prevent unauthorized access through authentication bypass mechanisms.