CVE-2018-17423 in e107
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in e107 v2.1.9. There is a XSS attack on e107_admin/comment.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-17423 represents a cross-site scripting flaw identified in the e107 content management system version 2.1.9 within the administrative comment management interface. This issue specifically affects the e107_admin/comment.php file, which serves as a critical administrative component for managing user comments on websites built with this platform. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within the web interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious script code through comment fields that are processed by the vulnerable administrative script, potentially compromising the security of administrators who view these comments.
The technical exploitation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when malicious input is submitted through comment forms and subsequently displayed in the administrative comment management interface without proper sanitization. This creates a persistent threat vector where an attacker can craft malicious payloads that execute in the context of an administrator's browser session. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213 which covers data from information repositories. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices where user-provided content bypasses security filters designed to prevent malicious code execution, particularly within administrative interfaces where elevated privileges exist.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, steal administrative sessions, or manipulate content management functions. Administrators who view compromised comments could unknowingly execute malicious scripts that steal cookies, redirect to phishing sites, or establish backdoor access to the compromised system. This vulnerability represents a significant risk to website security since administrative interfaces typically contain sensitive data and control mechanisms that, if compromised, could lead to complete system takeover. The threat is particularly concerning in environments where multiple administrators access the same comment management interface, as a single compromised comment could affect multiple users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-17423 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the e107 platform. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of e107 that addresses this vulnerability, as the vendor likely released a security update containing proper sanitization routines for user input. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting script execution within the administrative interface. Regular security audits of web applications should include thorough testing of administrative interfaces for similar vulnerabilities, and implementing proper input sanitization libraries can prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. The remediation process should also include monitoring for suspicious comment activity and establishing proper access controls for administrative functions to minimize the impact of potential exploitation attempts.