CVE-2018-20486 in MetInfo
Summary
by MITRE
MetInfo 6.x through 6.1.3 has XSS via the /admin/login/login_check.php url_array[] parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-20486 affects MetInfo content management systems version 6.x through 6.1.3, specifically within the administrative login functionality. This issue manifests as a cross-site scripting vulnerability that exploits the url_array[] parameter in the /admin/login/login_check.php endpoint. The flaw represents a critical security weakness that could allow attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated admin sessions, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper input validation and output sanitization within the login_check.php script. When the url_array[] parameter is processed, the application fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied data before it is rendered in the web response. This allows attackers to inject malicious javascript code that gets executed in the browser of authenticated administrators, creating a persistent XSS vector that can be leveraged for session hijacking, credential theft, or further attack escalation. The vulnerability stems from a lack of proper input filtering and output encoding mechanisms that should be implemented according to secure coding practices outlined in CWE-79.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a potential pathway to gain administrative control over affected systems. Successful exploitation could enable unauthorized users to access sensitive configuration data, modify website content, create new administrative accounts, or exfiltrate database information. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it targets the login authentication process, which means that even if initial access is difficult, the vulnerability provides a consistent and reliable method for bypassing authentication mechanisms. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers legitimate credentials usage through compromised administrative accounts, and represents a significant risk to organizations relying on vulnerable MetInfo installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-20486 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MetInfo installations to version 6.1.4 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement input validation measures at the application level, including proper sanitization of all user-supplied parameters before processing. Network-based defenses such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by detecting and blocking malicious payloads targeting this specific vulnerability. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other components of the web application stack. The remediation approach should follow secure coding guidelines that address CWE-79 by implementing proper output encoding and input validation techniques to prevent XSS vulnerabilities in all user-facing application interfaces.