CVE-2018-17113 in EasyCMS
Summary
by MITRE
App/Modules/Admin/Tpl/default/Public/dwz/uploadify/scripts/uploadify.swf in EasyCMS 1.5 has XSS via the uploadifyID or movieName parameter, a related issue to CVE-2018-9173.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17113 affects EasyCMS 1.5 through a cross-site scripting flaw in the uploadify.swf Flash component located within the admin template directory. This issue specifically manifests in the uploadify script parameters uploadifyID and movieName which are not properly sanitized before being processed by the application. The vulnerability represents a classic server-side input validation failure that allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the application's response, potentially compromising user sessions and enabling further attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient parameter validation within the Flash-based uploadify component that processes file uploads in the EasyCMS administration interface. When the uploadifyID or movieName parameters are passed to the Flash component without proper sanitization, they become susceptible to XSS injection attacks. This flaw falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities, where the application fails to properly validate or escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamic content. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the Flash plugin's execution environment, which can bypass standard browser security mechanisms that typically protect against such attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it creates potential pathways for session hijacking, credential theft, and privilege escalation within the CMS environment. Attackers could exploit this flaw to inject malicious JavaScript that would execute in the context of authenticated admin sessions, potentially allowing them to gain full administrative control over the CMS installation. The vulnerability is related to CVE-2018-9173 which suggests a broader pattern of insecure parameter handling within the EasyCMS upload functionality, indicating that similar issues may exist in other components of the application. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, where adversaries leverage client-side scripting vulnerabilities to execute malicious code.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-17113 should focus on immediate input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters within the uploadify component. The most effective approach involves implementing strict parameter validation that filters out or encodes potentially malicious input characters before processing. Organizations should also consider disabling Flash-based components if they are not essential to core functionality, as Flash plugins have known security limitations and are increasingly deprecated. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting script execution sources. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the CMS, particularly focusing on components that handle user-supplied data in dynamic contexts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper parameter handling and input validation in web applications, aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.