CVE-2018-18547 in Control Panel
Summary
by MITRE
Vesta Control Panel through 0.9.8-22 has XSS via the edit/web/ domain parameter, the list/backup/ backup parameter, the list/rrd/ period parameter, the list/directory/ dir_a parameter, or the filename to the list/directory/ URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18547 affects Vesta Control Panel versions up to 0.9.8-22 and represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. This flaw exists within the web interface of the control panel and specifically targets several URI endpoints including edit/web/, list/backup/, list/rrd/, and list/directory/ parameters. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the application's web interface, creating opportunities for attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of authenticated users' browsers. The affected parameters include domain, backup, period, dir_a, and filename, all of which are processed without proper sanitization of user-supplied input. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it affects core administrative functions of the control panel, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or steal session tokens from authenticated users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft malicious input for any of the affected parameters and then convince a victim to click on the resulting malicious link or navigate to the crafted page. When a victim accesses a page containing the malicious payload, the script executes in their browser context, potentially allowing the attacker to steal cookies, session tokens, or perform actions on behalf of the authenticated user. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft, session hijacking, or redirection to malicious sites. The affected parameters span multiple functional areas of the control panel including web domain management, backup listing, RRD graph period selection, and directory listing operations, making the attack vector quite broad and potentially exploitable during routine administrative tasks. The vulnerability's persistence in the control panel interface means that legitimate users could unknowingly trigger the malicious scripts when navigating through the application's normal operations, creating a particularly insidious threat vector.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-18547 is significant for organizations relying on Vesta Control Panel for hosting management, as successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of hosting environments. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to compromised accounts, potentially gaining control over multiple domains and services managed through the control panel. The vulnerability particularly affects system administrators who frequently use the web interface, as their sessions would be at risk of being hijacked or their credentials stolen. Organizations using the control panel for managing customer hosting accounts face additional risks, as the vulnerability could enable attackers to access and manipulate customer data or services. The impact is amplified by the fact that this vulnerability affects multiple parameters across different functional modules, increasing the probability of successful exploitation during normal administrative workflows. Network security teams should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority threat due to the potential for lateral movement within hosting environments and the ability to maintain persistent access through stolen session tokens. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to customer trust and regulatory compliance, particularly in environments where data protection and privacy are critical requirements.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-18547 should focus on immediate patching of the Vesta Control Panel to version 0.9.8-23 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement input validation and output sanitization measures at the application level to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls or intrusion prevention systems that can detect and block XSS attack patterns targeting these specific parameters. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other web applications and control panels. The fix for this vulnerability typically involves implementing proper HTML escaping and input validation for all user-supplied parameters, ensuring that any potentially malicious input is neutralized before being rendered in web pages. Security teams should also implement monitoring for suspicious activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around the affected URI parameters. Additionally, user education about the risks of clicking unknown links or visiting untrusted websites remains crucial, as social engineering remains a common initial access vector for such attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts to reduce the impact of session hijacking attacks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security updates and the need for comprehensive security testing of web applications, particularly those handling sensitive administrative functions.