CVE-2018-16730 in CScms
Summary
by MITRE
\upload\plugins\sys\Install.php in CScms 4.1 has XSS via the site name.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16730 affects CScms 4.1 content management system where cross-site scripting vulnerabilities exist in the upload/plugins/sys/Install.php file. This particular flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts through the site name parameter during the installation process. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the installation script that fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before rendering it in the web application's response.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious JavaScript code as part of the site name parameter during system installation. When the system processes this input without proper sanitization, the malicious script gets executed in the context of a victim's browser who visits the affected installation page or views the site name in the administrative interface. This represents a classic reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability where the malicious payload is reflected back to the user's browser without being stored on the server. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')", which is a fundamental weakness in web application security that affects the integrity of user interactions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, redirect users to malicious websites, or even execute arbitrary commands within the victim's browser context. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to the system by stealing administrator credentials or manipulating the installation process to inject additional malicious components. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in the installation phase since it can compromise the entire system setup process, potentially allowing attackers to modify the installation configuration or gain unauthorized access to the application's administrative functions.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability effectively. The primary mitigation involves implementing strict input validation and output encoding mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing or rendering it in web pages. The installation script should properly escape special characters and validate input parameters against expected formats and lengths. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious script injection attempts, implement proper content security policies that restrict script execution, and ensure that all input fields undergo rigorous sanitization before being processed by the application. The mitigation strategy should also include regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on input validation and output encoding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other parts of the application. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which involves exploiting application vulnerabilities to gain access to system resources and demonstrates the importance of securing all application entry points including installation and configuration interfaces.