CVE-2018-19464 in Discuz!
Summary
by MITRE
Discuz! X3.4 allows XSS via admin.php because admincp/admincp_setting.php and template\default\common\footer.htm mishandle s statcode field from third-party stats code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19464 affects Discuz! X3.4, a widely used open-source forum software that powers millions of online communities worldwide. This cross-site scripting vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the administrative control panel, specifically in the admincp_setting.php file and its associated template files. The flaw exists in the way the application processes user input when rendering administrative settings, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the application's administrative interface. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets the administrative backend, which provides access to critical system functions and user data management. Attackers can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of an authenticated administrator's browser session, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper sanitization of user-supplied data within the administrative settings management functionality. When administrators navigate to certain configuration pages, the application fails to adequately escape or encode special characters in input fields, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the template rendering process where data from admincp_setting.php is directly output to the browser without sufficient sanitization. This flaw aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities resulting from insufficient output escaping. The attack vector typically involves an attacker who has already gained access to an administrative account or who can manipulate the administrative interface through other means. The vulnerability can be exploited through various methods including direct injection into form fields, URL parameters, or through more sophisticated techniques that leverage the administrative context to execute malicious code. The risk is amplified by the fact that administrators often have elevated privileges and access to sensitive system information, making successful exploitation particularly dangerous.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-19464 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the compromised Discuz for critical community or business communications, as the compromise of the administrative interface can lead to widespread data breaches and service disruption. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire forum ecosystem, potentially impacting thousands of users and their personal information stored within the platform.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-19464 should prioritize immediate patch application from the vendor, as Discuz! released updates addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures to prevent similar issues in their own applications. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script injection attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Regular security audits and code reviews focusing on input handling and output encoding practices should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous administrative activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts, restricting administrative access to trusted networks, and maintaining regular backups of forum data can help mitigate the potential impact of successful exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to provide an additional layer of protection against known attack patterns. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches to ensure they do not introduce compatibility issues with existing forum configurations and functionality. Regular security training for administrators can help prevent social engineering attacks that might lead to credential compromise, which is often a prerequisite for exploiting this type of vulnerability. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the potential consequences of failing to apply security patches promptly.