CVE-2018-18743 in SEMCMS
Summary
by MITRE
An XSS issue was discovered in SEMCMS 3.4 via the second text field to the admin/SEMCMS_Categories.php?pid=1&lgid=1 URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18743 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within SEMCMS version 3.4 that specifically affects the administrative interface. This issue manifests when user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to the browser, creating a potential vector for malicious code execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it targets the admin panel of the content management system, which could provide attackers with elevated privileges and access to sensitive administrative functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the SEMCMS_Categories.php script where the application fails to adequately validate or escape user-supplied data from the second text field. When an administrator navigates to the URI admin/SEMCMS_Categories.php?pid=1&lgid=1, the application processes parameters without sufficient input sanitization, allowing malicious payloads to be stored and subsequently executed in the context of the administrator's browser session. This represents a classic reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability where the malicious input is processed by the server and immediately reflected back to the user without proper encoding or validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the potential to escalate privileges within the CMS environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the administrator's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or even complete system compromise. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal user interaction beyond accessing the vulnerable administrative page, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation campaigns.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The weakness exists in the application's failure to properly sanitize user input before rendering it in the browser context, creating a direct pathway for malicious code execution. This vulnerability also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for phishing, as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access through malicious payloads delivered via compromised administrative sessions.
The recommended mitigation strategies include implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase, particularly within the administrative interfaces where user input is processed. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided security patches or upgrade to a patched version of SEMCMS. Additionally, implementing a web application firewall with XSS detection capabilities and establishing proper input sanitization protocols can provide additional layers of protection. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application infrastructure, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar cross-site scripting threats that could compromise the overall security posture of the organization.