CVE-2018-16637 in Evolution
Summary
by MITRE
Evolution CMS 1.4.x allows XSS via the page weblink title parameter to the manager/ URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2020
Evolution CMS version 1.4.x contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that specifically affects the manager/ URI endpoint when processing the page weblink title parameter. This vulnerability represents a classic client-side attack vector where malicious input is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered in the web interface. The flaw exists within the content management system's handling of user-provided data in the weblink title field, which is typically used to define the display text for hyperlinks within the CMS interface. When an attacker crafts a malicious payload and submits it as the weblink title parameter, the system fails to adequately escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as executable code by web browsers. This allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users who view the affected page, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions within the CMS.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the Evolution CMS framework. The system does not employ proper sanitization mechanisms to prevent malicious code injection when processing user input through the manager interface. This particular weakness aligns with CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation, commonly known as cross-site scripting. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through a simple HTTP request containing malicious payload in the title parameter, making it relatively easy to exploit with minimal technical expertise. The attack requires no authentication to the CMS system itself, as the vulnerability exists in the public-facing manager interface that handles user-submitted data without adequate protection mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges within the CMS environment. When users with administrative rights view pages containing the malicious weblink title, their browser sessions become compromised, potentially allowing attackers to gain full administrative control over the content management system. This risk is particularly severe given that many CMS administrators regularly access the manager interface to manage website content, making them prime targets for such attacks. The vulnerability can also facilitate data exfiltration attacks where stolen session cookies or other sensitive information can be transmitted to attacker-controlled servers, creating a persistent threat vector for ongoing compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the Evolution CMS framework. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user-provided input, particularly parameters used in web page generation, through proper HTML escaping and character encoding techniques. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts within the CMS interface. Additionally, regular security updates and patches should be applied to ensure the CMS remains protected against known vulnerabilities. The implementation of web application firewalls can provide an additional layer of protection by detecting and blocking malicious payloads before they reach the vulnerable application components. Security monitoring should also be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in manager URI access and user behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. These measures align with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers credential harvesting through social engineering and malicious web content, and T1059 which addresses command and scripting interpreters used for code execution.