CVE-2018-19906 in razorCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Stored XSS exists in razorCMS 3.4.8 via the /#/page description parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19906 represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw within razorCMS version 3.4.8, specifically affecting the page description parameter accessible through the URL path /#page. This issue enables attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's database and execute whenever users view affected pages. The vulnerability resides in the application's insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms, allowing malicious payloads to be stored and subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsers. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that once the malicious code is injected into the system, it remains persistent and affects all users who access the compromised pages without requiring additional user interaction beyond visiting the affected content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from razorCMS's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input in the page description parameter. When administrators or users enter content containing script tags or malicious JavaScript code into the description field, the application stores this input without adequate filtering or encoding. The application then retrieves and displays this stored content without proper HTML escaping or context-appropriate sanitization, creating an environment where malicious scripts can execute in the browser context of unsuspecting users. This flaw directly violates security principles related to input validation and output encoding, which are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks and are specifically addressed by CWE-79, which catalogs cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious sites. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially steal administrator credentials, modify content, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive system areas. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that the attack can affect multiple users over time without requiring repeated exploitation attempts. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which covers the use of malicious content in web applications, and represents a significant risk to application security and user trust. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the content management system, potentially compromising the entire website if administrators are targeted or if the application stores sensitive information in the affected fields.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-19906 should prioritize immediate patching of the razorCMS application to version 3.4.9 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for input validation and output sanitization. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation that filters or encodes potentially dangerous characters and patterns before storing user input. The application should employ proper output encoding mechanisms when displaying user-supplied content, particularly in HTML contexts, to prevent script execution. Security headers such as Content Security Policy should be implemented to add additional layers of protection against XSS attacks. Regular security testing including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar issues in other parts of the application. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation can limit the damage that could result from successful exploitation of this vulnerability, ensuring that even if an attacker gains access, they cannot escalate privileges or access sensitive areas of the system.