CVE-2018-17026 in Monstra
Summary
by MITRE
admin/index.php in Monstra CMS 3.0.4 allows XSS via the page_meta_title parameter in an edit_page&name=error404 action, a different vulnerability than CVE-2018-10121.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17026 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within Monstra CMS version 3.0.4 that specifically affects the administrative interface. This issue resides in the admin/index.php file and manifests when processing the page_meta_title parameter during an edit_page&name=error404 action. The vulnerability is distinct from CVE-2018-10121, indicating it operates through a different code path or mechanism within the application's security architecture. The flaw occurs in the context of administrative functionality where users can edit page content, particularly error page configurations, making it a critical concern for system administrators who rely on the CMS for their website management.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the Monstra CMS administrative interface. When an administrator navigates to the edit_page action with the name parameter set to error404, the application processes the page_meta_title parameter without proper sanitization of user-supplied input. This failure to validate and escape special characters in the meta title field creates an opportunity for malicious actors to inject malicious scripts that will execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interface, which increases its potential impact as attackers could compromise administrator sessions or execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it represents a significant threat to the overall security posture of websites utilizing Monstra CMS 3.0.4. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially steal administrator session cookies, execute unauthorized administrative actions, or redirect users to malicious sites. The attack vector requires minimal privileges since it targets the administrative interface, making it particularly dangerous for environments where multiple administrators have access. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for credential access through web application vulnerabilities. The exposure of administrative functionality to XSS attacks creates a pathway for attackers to escalate privileges and gain full control over the website's content management system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-17026 should prioritize immediate patching of Monstra CMS to version 3.0.5 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing or displaying it within the administrative interface. Web application firewalls can provide additional protection by detecting and blocking malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Regular security assessments of the CMS and its plugins should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, and administrators should be trained to recognize potential XSS attack patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper security testing throughout the software development lifecycle and highlights the need for robust input sanitization practices in web applications, particularly those handling administrative functions. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in their web applications.