CVE-2018-19904 in XSLT
Summary
by MITRE
Persistent XSS exists in XSLT CMS via the create/?action=items.edit&type=Page "body" field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19904 represents a persistent cross-site scripting flaw within the XSLT Content Management System that specifically affects the page editing functionality. This issue resides in the create/?action=items.edit&type=Page endpoint where user-controllable input is processed through the "body" field parameter without adequate sanitization or output encoding mechanisms. The persistent nature of this vulnerability means that malicious scripts injected through this vector will be stored on the server and executed whenever the affected page is accessed by any user, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle user-generated content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious JavaScript code through the "body" field of a page edit form. The CMS fails to properly validate or sanitize this input before storing it in the database, and subsequently fails to encode the stored content when rendering it back to users. This creates a classic persistent XSS scenario where the malicious payload becomes part of the application's permanent content. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and more particularly with CWE-80 which deals with the improper neutralization of script-related HTML tags in a web page. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of any user who views the compromised page, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-19904 extends beyond simple script execution as it can be used to establish persistent footholds within the application environment. When combined with other attack vectors, this vulnerability can enable attackers to escalate privileges, access sensitive administrative functions, or steal session cookies that would allow them to impersonate legitimate users. The persistent nature means that even if the initial attack is detected and the malicious content is removed from the database, the vulnerability remains exploitable as long as the application continues to store and serve unescaped user input. This flaw particularly affects web applications that rely on user-generated content management and can be exploited by attackers with minimal privileges to gain elevated access through session manipulation or by redirecting users to phishing sites.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application stack. The most effective immediate fix involves sanitizing all user input through proper HTML escaping before storing content in the database and ensuring that all dynamic content is rendered with appropriate encoding to prevent script execution. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of inline scripts and establish strict validation rules for all input fields, particularly those used for rich text content. Additionally, regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The remediation process should align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers the use of scripting languages for exploitation, as persistent XSS vulnerabilities are commonly leveraged to execute malicious scripts that can further compromise systems. Application developers should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular input/output validation frameworks to prevent similar issues from occurring in future development cycles.