CVE-2018-5965 in CMS Made Simple
Summary
by MITRE
CMS Made Simple (CMSMS) 2.2.5 has XSS in admin/moduleinterface.php via the m1_errors parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5965 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within CMS Made Simple version 2.2.5 that specifically affects the admin/moduleinterface.php component. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the administrative interface, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the application's response. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it targets the administrative module interface, which typically operates with elevated privileges and access to sensitive system functions. The m1_errors parameter serves as the attack vector, where user-supplied input is directly incorporated into the page response without proper sanitization or encoding, allowing attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated administrative sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a standard XSS attack pattern where an attacker crafts malicious input containing JavaScript payload within the m1_errors parameter. When the CMS processes this parameter and renders it in the administrative interface, the embedded script executes within the browser context of any administrator who views the affected page. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for session hijacking, privilege escalation, or data exfiltration. The vulnerability maps to CWE-79 - Cross-site Scripting, which is classified under the broader category of injection flaws that occur when untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or encoding. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a critical security gap that undermines the integrity of the administrative interface and potentially compromises the entire CMS installation.
The impact of CVE-2018-5965 extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to perform administrative actions on behalf of legitimate users. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains access to the administrative functions of the CMS, potentially allowing them to modify content, add malicious users, install backdoors, or even completely compromise the web application. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, where adversaries leverage browser-based scripting to execute malicious code. The vulnerability also relates to T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers might use this flaw to establish a foothold that later enables more sophisticated attacks. Organizations running CMS Made Simple 2.2.5 are particularly at risk since the administrative interface typically contains sensitive configuration options and user management capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5965 should focus on immediate patching of the CMS Made Simple application to version 2.2.6 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application code can prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. Security measures such as Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious input patterns targeting known XSS vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar issues within the application's codebase. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper security controls in web applications to prevent unauthorized access to administrative interfaces.