CVE-2018-18260 in Camaleo
Summary
by MITRE
In the 2.4 version of Camaleon CMS, Stored XSS has been discovered. The profile image in the User settings section can be run in the update / upload area via /admin/media/upload?actions=false.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18260 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within Camaleon CMS version 2.4. This security weakness resides in the user profile management functionality, specifically within the media upload and update mechanisms. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the system through the profile image upload process, which then gets executed whenever the compromised profile information is accessed by other users or administrators. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it leverages the administrative media upload endpoint located at /admin/media/upload?actions=false, which provides a legitimate pathway for users to manage their profile images while simultaneously creating an opportunity for persistent malicious code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper sanitization of user-supplied data during the image upload process. When users attempt to upload profile images through the designated administrative interface, the system fails to adequately validate or sanitize the file metadata, including file names, extensions, or embedded content that could contain malicious script code. This inadequate input validation creates a persistent XSS attack surface where attacker-controlled scripts can be stored within the application's database and subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and represents a classic case of insufficient output escaping in web applications. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that once successfully exploited, the malicious payload remains active until manually removed from the system, providing attackers with sustained access to compromised user sessions and potentially elevated privileges within the CMS environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and further exploitation of the compromised CMS infrastructure. An attacker who successfully uploads a malicious profile image can potentially steal administrator credentials, modify website content, access sensitive user data, or even establish persistent backdoors within the application. The vulnerability particularly affects the administrative interface, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to gain elevated privileges within the CMS. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that the upload endpoint is accessible through the administrative interface, meaning that authenticated users with lower privileges might be able to leverage this vulnerability to escalate their access rights. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically focusing on script-based attacks that can be executed through web application interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-18260 should prioritize immediate patching of the Camaleon CMS to version 2.5 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes for the stored XSS vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures for all user-supplied content, particularly file uploads, ensuring that file metadata is properly validated and that no executable code can be embedded within uploaded media files. 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 within the application. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the CMS, while proper access controls and privilege separation should be enforced to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems that can detect and block suspicious upload patterns or script injection attempts, providing defense-in-depth measures against similar vulnerabilities that may exist in the broader application ecosystem.