CVE-2018-19083 in WeCenter
Summary
by MITRE
WeCenter 3.2.0 through 3.2.2 has XSS in the views/default/question/index.tpl.html htmlspecialchars_decode function via the /?/publish/ajax/publish_question/ question_content parameter.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2018-19083 represents a cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the WeCenter social question-and-answer platform version 3.2.0 through 3.2.2. This security weakness specifically affects the template file views/default/question/index.tpl.html where the htmlspecialchars_decode function is improperly utilized, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject persistent script code into the application's user interface. The vulnerability manifests through the /?/publish/ajax/publish_question/ endpoint when processing the question_content parameter, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the inadequate input sanitization and output encoding practices within the WeCenter application's template processing system. The htmlspecialchars_decode function, which should normally convert special HTML characters back to their original form, is being misapplied in a manner that fails to properly escape user-supplied content before rendering it in the web interface. This improper handling creates a scenario where malicious input containing script tags or other HTML elements can bypass security measures and execute within the victim's browser session. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored XSS attack vector since the malicious content is persisted in the application's database and executed whenever the affected page is loaded.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities within the compromised user sessions. Attackers can leverage this flaw to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface the application interface, or even escalate privileges within the application's user management system. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that once the malicious content is injected, it will affect all users who view the affected pages until the vulnerability is patched and the malicious content is removed from the database. This vulnerability particularly affects the platform's core functionality as it targets the question publishing mechanism, potentially compromising the integrity of user-generated content and the overall trustworthiness of the question-and-answer platform.
Organizations using WeCenter versions 3.2.0 through 3.2.2 should immediately implement mitigations including input validation and output encoding improvements to prevent malicious content from being stored and executed. The recommended approach involves ensuring that all user-supplied content undergoes proper sanitization before being stored in the database and that appropriate HTML escaping is applied during template rendering. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and maintaining up-to-date application versions can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, highlighting the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web application security. The fix requires developers to review all template files that process user input and ensure consistent application of security measures to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other parts of the application codebase.