CVE-2018-16639 in Typesetter
Summary
by MITRE
Typesetter 5.1 allows XSS via the index.php/Admin LABEL parameter during new page creation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16639 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within Typesetter version 5.1 that specifically affects the administrative interface during page creation processes. This issue manifests through the LABEL parameter in the index.php/Admin endpoint, where insufficient input validation and output sanitization permit malicious actors to inject arbitrary script code into the web application's response. The vulnerability exists in the context of content management systems where administrators routinely create and manage web pages, making it particularly dangerous as it targets the most privileged user role within the application.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing script code and submits it through the LABEL parameter during new page creation. The application fails to properly sanitize this input before rendering it in the web interface, allowing the injected scripts to execute within the context of other users' browsers who visit pages containing the malicious content. This creates a persistent XSS vector that can be leveraged for session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a common weakness in web applications where untrusted data is improperly handled during web page generation. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate output encoding mechanisms that are fundamental requirements for preventing XSS attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the ability to compromise the entire administrative environment of the Typesetter installation. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can manipulate the content management interface, modify existing pages, create backdoor access points, or even escalate privileges within the application. This represents a significant threat to the integrity and confidentiality of the web application's content management system, as the administrative interface typically contains sensitive configuration data and user management capabilities. The persistent nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious scripts can continue to affect users until the application is patched and the compromised data is cleaned.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate application of the vendor-provided security patch or upgrade to a patched version of Typesetter. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing or rendering. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while regular security auditing of web applications should include thorough testing for XSS vulnerabilities in all input parameters. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious script injection attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege, ensuring that administrative interfaces are properly protected against common web application attacks that align with ATT&CK technique T1213 which covers data from information repositories. Organizations should also establish regular vulnerability assessment procedures to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in their web applications.