CVE-2018-19092 in YzmCMS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in YzmCMS v5.2. It has XSS via a search/index/archives/pubtime/ query string, as demonstrated by the search/index/archives/pubtime/1526387722/page/1.html URI. NOTE: this does not obtain a user's cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19092 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within YzmCMS version 5.2 that specifically affects the search functionality of the content management system. This issue manifests when processing query string parameters in the search/index/archives/pubtime/ URI structure, where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or escaped before being rendered in the web application's response. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially enabling session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the CMS's search module. When a user navigates to the specific URI pattern search/index/archives/pubtime/1526387722/page/1.html, the application processes the pubtime parameter without adequate sanitization measures. This parameter contains a timestamp value that gets directly incorporated into the HTML output without proper HTML entity encoding or script context validation. The CWE-79 weakness classification applies here as the application fails to properly encode output data, allowing malicious scripts to be executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where user input flows through the system and is subsequently rendered without appropriate security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks within the compromised environment. While the specific instance mentioned does not directly obtain user cookies, the presence of XSS vulnerabilities in CMS platforms creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges, perform unauthorized actions, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the web application's user interface and can compromise the trust relationship between users and the CMS. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious scripts that could capture user interactions, steal session tokens through cookie manipulation, or redirect users to phishing sites that appear legitimate. The attack surface is particularly dangerous in environments where CMS administrators or authenticated users interact with the system regularly, as these users often have elevated privileges and access to sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the CMS application. The primary remediation approach involves ensuring that all user-supplied input parameters are properly sanitized before being processed or rendered in web responses. This includes implementing proper HTML entity encoding for all dynamic content, utilizing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, and applying input validation that rejects or filters potentially malicious characters. Organizations should also consider implementing Web Application Firewall rules that can detect and block suspicious query string patterns targeting known vulnerable parameters. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.007 for scripting languages and T1566 for credential access through social engineering, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of the potential attack vectors that can emerge from such a flaw. Regular updates and patches to the YzmCMS platform should be prioritized to address this and related vulnerabilities that could compromise the overall security posture of the web application.