CVE-2018-19461 in EmpireCMS
Summary
by MITRE
admin\db\DoSql.php in EmpireCMS through 7.5 allows XSS via crafted SQL syntax to admin/admin.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19461 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the EmpireCMS content management system version 7.5 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the administrative database interface where the DoSql.php script processes SQL commands. The issue arises from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle maliciously crafted SQL syntax containing malicious script payloads. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting XSS payloads through the SQL syntax parser, which then gets executed when the administrative interface renders the results. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets the administrative backend of the CMS, potentially allowing unauthorized users to gain elevated privileges or execute malicious code within the context of the admin session. The attack vector involves submitting specially crafted SQL queries through the administrative interface, which then get processed and displayed without proper sanitization, creating an XSS condition that can be leveraged for session hijacking or data exfiltration. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored XSS scenario where malicious code persists in the database and executes when administrative users view the affected pages. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1059.008 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566.001 for Phishing, as attackers can use this vulnerability to establish persistent access through malicious payloads. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to manipulate administrative functions, modify content, or potentially escalate privileges to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects the core database administration functionality and demonstrates a critical failure in input sanitization within the CMS's administrative interface. Organizations using EmpireCMS versions prior to 7.5 should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and access controls to prevent unauthorized access to administrative functions. The flaw highlights the importance of proper security measures in CMS administrative interfaces, as these areas often represent the most critical attack surface for privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of administrative interfaces and proper implementation of security controls to prevent persistent XSS conditions that could lead to complete system compromise.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2018-19461 requires an attacker to have access to the administrative interface or to find a way to submit malicious SQL syntax through other attack vectors that ultimately reach the vulnerable DoSql.php script. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation where user-supplied SQL syntax is directly processed and displayed without proper sanitization of potentially malicious payloads. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in CMS environments where administrative interfaces often have elevated privileges and access to sensitive system functions. The attack chain typically involves crafting SQL syntax that includes malicious JavaScript payloads, which then get executed when administrative users view the results of the SQL query execution. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects the core database management functionality of the CMS, potentially allowing attackers to bypass normal security controls and execute arbitrary commands within the administrative context. Security researchers have noted that similar vulnerabilities in CMS platforms often stem from inadequate security controls in administrative interfaces, where the assumption is made that only trusted users will have access. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies, including proper input validation, output encoding, and regular security updates to prevent exploitation of such flaws. The flaw also demonstrates the necessity of implementing proper access controls and monitoring for unusual administrative activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting such vulnerabilities in their CMS environments.