CVE-2018-17960 in PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools
Summary
by MITRE
CKEditor 4.x before 4.11.0 allows user-assisted XSS involving a source-mode paste.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2018-17960 represents a cross-site scripting flaw in CKEditor 4.x versions prior to 4.11.0 that specifically affects the source-mode paste functionality. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization when processing content pasted into the editor's source mode, creating a persistent security risk for web applications that rely on CKEditor for content management. The vulnerability is classified as user-assisted XSS, meaning an attacker must convince a victim to perform a specific action within the vulnerable application context, typically by enticing them to paste malicious content into the editor.
The technical flaw stems from CKEditor's handling of HTML content during paste operations in source mode, where the editor fails to properly sanitize or escape potentially malicious script tags and other harmful HTML elements. When users paste content containing crafted script payloads, the editor processes these elements without adequate protection mechanisms, allowing malicious code to execute in the context of the victim's browser. This vulnerability specifically impacts the source editing mode where users can directly manipulate HTML code, making it particularly dangerous for applications that allow rich text editing with source mode access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple XSS attacks as it can enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. In web applications where CKEditor is used for content management, forum posts, or comment systems, an attacker could inject malicious scripts that execute when other users view the content. The vulnerability affects the entire user base of applications using affected CKEditor versions, potentially compromising thousands of users depending on the application's user base size. This makes it particularly concerning for content management systems, enterprise applications, and any platform where user-generated content is processed through CKEditor.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to CKEditor 4.11.0 or later versions to address this vulnerability, as the fix includes enhanced input sanitization and proper HTML escaping for paste operations. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks, though this should not replace the core fix. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1211 for lateral movement through compromised user sessions. Security teams should conduct thorough testing of their CKEditor implementations and monitor for any attempts to exploit this vulnerability, particularly in environments where users have access to source mode editing capabilities.