CVE-2018-5681 in PrestaShop
Summary
by MITRE
PrestaShop 1.7.2.4 has XSS via source-code editing on the "Pages > Edit page" screen.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5681 affects PrestaShop version 1.7.2.4 and represents a cross-site scripting flaw that emerges through the source code editing functionality within the administrative interface. This security weakness specifically manifests on the "Pages > Edit page" screen where administrators can modify page content through direct source code editing capabilities. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle malicious script content submitted through the editing interface. Attackers can exploit this flaw by injecting malicious javascript code into page source code fields, which then executes in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected pages. The vulnerability directly impacts the integrity of the PrestaShop administrative environment and poses significant risks to user sessions and data confidentiality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it within the web interface. When administrators access the page editing functionality, the system processes source code content without adequate filtering of potentially malicious script tags or javascript payloads. This represents a classic case of improper output encoding and input validation, which aligns with CWE-79 - Cross-site Scripting and CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation. The vulnerability exists because the application does not implement proper HTML escaping or sanitization routines when displaying content that originates from administrative editing functions, creating an environment where attacker-controlled code can be executed within the browser context of authenticated users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal administrative credentials, or manipulate the content of affected web pages. An attacker with access to the administrative interface can inject malicious scripts that persist across user sessions, potentially leading to complete compromise of the PrestaShop installation. The vulnerability affects the principle of least privilege since it allows attackers to execute code with the privileges of the affected user, which in this case would typically be an administrator account. This creates a path for privilege escalation and lateral movement within the compromised system. The vulnerability also violates the security principle of defense in depth as the application fails to provide adequate protection mechanisms at the input validation layer.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5681 should begin with immediate patching of the PrestaShop installation to version 1.7.3.0 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement input sanitization measures that filter and escape all user-supplied content before rendering it in the browser context. The application should enforce strict content validation rules that reject or sanitize any input containing potentially dangerous script tags or javascript code. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious script injection attempts. Additionally, administrative users should be educated about the risks of editing source code content and the importance of validating all inputs. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, which describes how attackers can use javascript payloads to execute malicious code within web browsers. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. The fix should include comprehensive output encoding that ensures all user-generated content is properly escaped before being displayed in the browser, thereby preventing the execution of malicious scripts in the context of authenticated users.