CVE-2018-17255 in Navigate
Summary
by MITRE
Navigate CMS 2.8 has Reflected XSS via the navigate.php fid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17255 affects Navigate CMS version 2.8 and represents a reflected cross-site scripting flaw that can be exploited through the navigate.php script's fid parameter. This issue falls under the broader category of web application security vulnerabilities that compromise user sessions and can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the CMS framework, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious script is reflected off the web server rather than being stored, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios where users are lured into clicking malicious links.
The technical flaw manifests when the navigate.php script processes the fid parameter without proper sanitization or encoding of user-supplied input. When a user visits a maliciously crafted URL containing XSS payload within the fid parameter, the script fails to validate or escape the input before returning it to the user's browser. This allows an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security that enables attackers to manipulate the content delivered to users. The flaw can be exploited across different browsers and operating systems, making it a significant risk to organizations using this CMS version.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or even modify content displayed to authenticated users. An attacker could craft a phishing link that appears legitimate to users, causing them to unknowingly execute malicious code that could capture their session tokens or credentials. The reflected nature of the vulnerability makes it particularly effective in social engineering campaigns where users are tricked into clicking malicious links. Additionally, this vulnerability could be combined with other attack vectors to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to the CMS administration interface, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The risk is further amplified because the vulnerability affects a widely used content management system, making it a prime target for automated scanning tools and mass exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-17255 should include immediate patching of the Navigate CMS to version 2.9 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their web applications, particularly for all parameters that are reflected back to users. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Regular security testing including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar issues in other applications. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests containing known XSS patterns. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, which describes how adversaries use JavaScript to execute malicious code in victim environments. Proper security awareness training for users can help reduce the risk of successful social engineering attacks that leverage this vulnerability, as users often become the primary vector for exploitation in reflected XSS scenarios.