CVE-2018-17044 in YzmCMS
Summary
by MITRE
In YzmCMS 5.1, stored XSS exists via the admin/system_manage/user_config_add.html title parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17044 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within YzmCMS version 5.1, specifically affecting the administrative interface. This vulnerability resides in the user configuration management component at admin/system_manage/user_config_add.html where the title parameter fails to properly sanitize user input before processing. The flaw allows authenticated administrators to inject malicious javascript code through the title field, which gets stored in the application's database and subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsers when the affected content is rendered.
From a technical perspective this vulnerability demonstrates a classic stored XSS vulnerability categorized under CWE-79 which specifically addresses the improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The vulnerability occurs because the application does not implement adequate input validation or output encoding mechanisms for the title parameter in the user configuration addition form. When administrators submit configuration data through this interface, the title value is directly stored without proper sanitization, creating a persistent vector for malicious code execution. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload remains active even after the initial injection, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over time.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the ability to escalate privileges and potentially compromise the entire administrative environment. An attacker who gains access to an administrator account can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary javascript code in the browser of any user who views the affected configuration pages. This could enable session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the content management system, potentially allowing attackers to modify user permissions, access sensitive configuration data, or manipulate the CMS functionality. According to ATT&CK framework, this represents a technique categorized under T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter with JavaScript, and T1547.001 for Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder, as the malicious code could establish persistent access through browser-based exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding controls for all user-supplied data within the administrative interface. The application should enforce strict sanitization of the title parameter through the use of HTML entity encoding before storing data and implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution. Additionally, administrators should implement proper privilege separation and access controls to limit the scope of potential exploitation. The fix should involve updating the YzmCMS to a patched version that properly sanitizes user input and validates all parameters before storage. Security monitoring should also be enhanced to detect unusual administrative activities and potential exploitation attempts. Organizations using this CMS should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their administrative interfaces and implement regular security updates to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future versions. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of input validation in web applications and the necessity of following secure coding practices to prevent persistent security flaws that can compromise entire systems.