CVE-2018-6313 in WBCE
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) in WBCE CMS 1.3.1 allows remote authenticated administrators to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the Modify Page screen, a different issue than CVE-2017-2118.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6313 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the WBCE Content Management System version 1.3.1 that specifically targets authenticated administrator users. This vulnerability exists in the Modify Page screen functionality, creating a persistent security weakness that allows malicious actors with administrative privileges to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw differs from CVE-2017-2118, indicating this is a distinct vulnerability within the same software ecosystem that requires separate remediation efforts.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the WBCE CMS administration interface. When administrators access the Modify Page screen to edit content, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it back to the browser. This allows attackers who have gained administrative access to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' sessions. The vulnerability specifically affects the page modification functionality where administrators can manipulate content, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages legitimate administrative privileges to compromise system security.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations using WBCE CMS 1.3.1 as it enables authenticated attackers to potentially escalate their privileges or conduct session hijacking attacks. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as attackers could craft malicious payloads that steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of other administrators. The fact that this affects authenticated administrators means that the attack vector requires initial compromise of administrative credentials, but once achieved, the attacker can leverage this vulnerability to maintain persistent access and conduct further reconnaissance or attacks within the compromised environment.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of WBCE CMS where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. The fix typically involves implementing proper HTML entity encoding for all user-supplied content before rendering it within the browser context. Additionally, organizations should enforce strict access controls and monitor administrative activities for suspicious behavior. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should be addressed through comprehensive input validation and output encoding. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under privilege escalation and persistence techniques, as it enables attackers to maintain access through the execution of malicious scripts in legitimate administrative contexts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies as additional protective measures to prevent exploitation of similar XSS vulnerabilities in their web applications.