CVE-2018-19905 in razorCMS
Summary
by MITRE
HTML injection exists in razorCMS 3.4.8 via the /#/page keywords parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19905 represents a critical HTML injection flaw discovered in razorCMS version 3.4.8, specifically affecting the /#/page keywords parameter. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of insecure input handling within web applications, where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized or validated before being incorporated into HTML output. The issue manifests when the application fails to adequately escape or filter special characters in the keywords parameter, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML code that gets rendered in the browser context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to employ proper output encoding mechanisms when processing user input through the keywords parameter. When a user submits content containing HTML tags or script elements within the page keywords field, the razorCMS application directly incorporates this unfiltered input into its HTML response without appropriate sanitization measures. This creates an environment where attackers can execute malicious scripts, manipulate page content, or perform cross-site scripting attacks that compromise the integrity of the web application and potentially the end users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates within the application's URL structure, making it accessible through standard web browsing mechanisms and potentially exploitable via social engineering tactics.
From an operational impact perspective, this HTML injection vulnerability exposes razorCMS installations to several potential attack vectors that could severely compromise system security and user data. Attackers could leverage this flaw to inject malicious scripts that steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or manipulate the application's interface to deceive users. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors within the application environment. Given that this affects a content management system, the potential for widespread impact increases as compromised pages could serve as attack vectors for numerous visitors, potentially leading to large-scale security breaches and reputational damage for organizations relying on the platform.
The remediation of CVE-2018-19905 requires immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the razorCMS application. Organizations should implement strict sanitization of all user-supplied input, particularly for parameters that are subsequently rendered in HTML contexts. This includes implementing context-aware encoding techniques that properly escape HTML characters, JavaScript code, and other potentially dangerous input elements. Security measures should align with established industry standards such as CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities, and should incorporate defensive programming practices recommended by the OWASP Top Ten project. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers, regular security code reviews, and automated input validation testing can significantly reduce the risk of similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider upgrading to patched versions of razorCMS or implementing web application firewalls as additional protective measures to defend against exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.