CVE-2018-20682 in Fork
Summary
by MITRE
Fork CMS 5.0.6 allows stored XSS via the private/en/settings facebook_admin_ids parameter (aka "Admin ids" input in the Facebook section).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-20682 affects Fork CMS version 5.0.6 and represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw that specifically targets the private/en/settings facebook_admin_ids parameter. This vulnerability exists within the Facebook section of the application's settings interface where administrators can configure Facebook-related integration parameters. The flaw occurs when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or validated before being stored in the application's database and subsequently rendered back to users without adequate output encoding.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the application's parameter handling mechanism. When administrators enter Facebook admin identifiers into the designated input field, the application fails to sanitize this data before storing it in the backend database. Subsequently, when this stored data is retrieved and displayed within the administrative interface, the unescaped content is rendered directly into the HTML context without proper sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload persists in the database and will execute whenever the affected page is accessed by any user with appropriate privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues. An attacker who gains access to an administrative account or can manipulate the Facebook admin identifiers field can execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of other administrators' browsers. This capability enables a range of malicious activities including but not limited to session hijacking, credential theft, privilege escalation, and potentially full system compromise. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and can be categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. The stored nature of the vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over time without requiring repeated exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data handling pipeline. The application must sanitize all user-supplied input through whitelisting validation techniques and apply appropriate HTML escaping when rendering stored data back to users. Additionally, implementing content security policies and regular security code reviews can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in future development cycles. Organizations using Fork CMS should upgrade to patched versions immediately and conduct thorough security assessments of their administrative interfaces to identify other potential stored XSS vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include implementing proper access controls and monitoring for unauthorized modifications to critical configuration parameters.