CVE-2018-18740 in SEMCMS
Summary
by MITRE
An XSS issue was discovered in SEMCMS 3.4 via the first input field to the admin/SEMCMS_Link.php?lgid=1 URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18740 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within SEMCMS version 3.4 that specifically targets the administrative interface. This issue manifests through the first input field of the admin/SEMCMS_Link.php?lgid=1 URI, making it a critical security concern for systems utilizing this content management platform. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the web application's input fields, potentially compromising the integrity and security of the entire administrative environment.
This XSS vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in web applications that allow attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The specific nature of this flaw indicates that the application fails to properly sanitize or validate user input before rendering it within the web interface, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of the victim's browser. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets the administrative section of the CMS, which typically contains sensitive data and privileged functions that could be exploited for further compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform session hijacking, steal administrative credentials, modify content, or redirect users to malicious websites. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability through the admin interface, they can potentially gain full control over the CMS administration panel, leading to complete compromise of the website's content management capabilities. The fact that the vulnerability is present in the first input field of the link management functionality suggests that any user with access to this administrative feature could be targeted, making the attack surface broader than initially apparent.
The attack vector for this vulnerability requires an attacker to either gain access to the administrative interface or trick an administrator into executing malicious input through the vulnerable parameter. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes social engineering attacks that manipulate users into executing malicious code. The exploitation process would typically involve crafting malicious input that includes JavaScript payloads designed to steal session cookies or redirect the user to a malicious site controlled by the attacker. Given that the vulnerability affects the administrative section, successful exploitation could lead to persistent access and long-term compromise of the affected system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding measures to prevent script execution in user-supplied data. The recommended approach involves applying proper sanitization techniques that filter or escape special characters before processing user input, particularly in administrative interfaces where sensitive operations occur. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution. Organizations should also consider applying the latest security patches provided by SEMCMS developers, as this vulnerability is likely to have been addressed in subsequent releases. Regular security audits and penetration testing of administrative interfaces should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities and ensure proper input validation mechanisms are in place across all application components.