CVE-2018-19693 in tp5cms
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in tp5cms through 2017-05-25. admin.php/system/set.html has XSS via the title parameter.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19693 affects tp5cms version 2017-05-25 and earlier, representing a cross-site scripting flaw in the administrative interface. This issue manifests through the admin.php/system/set.html endpoint where the title parameter fails to properly sanitize user input, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary script code. The vulnerability resides within the content management system's administrative panel, specifically in how it processes and renders system configuration parameters.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the tp5cms framework. When administrators access the system set page and manipulate the title parameter, the application fails to implement proper sanitization measures that would prevent script execution in the browser context. This weakness allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that can execute within the victim's browser session, potentially leveraging the administrative privileges of the compromised user. The vulnerability maps to CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly encode or escape user-controllable data before including it in web pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities within the compromised administrative session. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, modify system configurations, or even escalate privileges within the CMS environment. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, as it can be triggered through crafted links or embedded payloads, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently visit external sites or receive emails with embedded content. This flaw represents a significant risk to organizations relying on tp5cms for their web applications, as it directly compromises the integrity and security of their administrative interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the tp5cms framework to the latest available version that addresses this specific XSS flaw. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their web applications, ensuring that all user-controllable parameters undergo proper sanitization before being rendered in web pages. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring and filtering malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable application components. The remediation approach should align with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework, emphasizing the importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments. Administrators should also conduct regular security training to raise awareness about XSS vulnerabilities and implement proper access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.