CVE-2018-7035 in Gleez
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Gleez CMS 1.2.0 and 2.0 might allow remote attackers (users) to inject JavaScript via HTML content in an editor, which will result in Stored XSS when an Administrator tries to edit the same content, as demonstrated by use of the source editor for HTML mode in an Add Blog action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7035 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Gleez CMS versions 1.2.0 and 2.0 that enables remote attackers to execute malicious JavaScript code through manipulated HTML content. This vulnerability specifically manifests when users employ the source editor for HTML mode during blog creation processes, creating a persistent threat vector that affects administrative users who subsequently edit the compromised content. The flaw operates as a stored XSS attack because the malicious script is permanently stored on the server and executed whenever administrators access the affected content, making it particularly dangerous for content management systems where administrators frequently review and modify user-generated material.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the CMS's content editing interface. When users input HTML content through the source editor, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape potentially dangerous script tags and JavaScript code that may be embedded within the HTML markup. This inadequate filtering allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that remain dormant until accessed by administrators, who are then vulnerable to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability specifically exploits the HTML editor's handling of user input during the add blog action, where the content is stored in the database without proper security measures to prevent code injection.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-7035 extends beyond simple script execution, creating significant risks for organizations relying on Gleez CMS for content management. Administrators who review or edit the compromised blog posts become unwitting participants in the attack chain, as their browser sessions are exposed to the injected JavaScript code. This vulnerability can be leveraged to steal administrator cookies, execute unauthorized administrative actions, or redirect users to phishing sites that can harvest credentials. The stored nature of the XSS payload means that the attack persists even after the initial injection, potentially affecting multiple administrators over time and allowing attackers to maintain long-term access to the system. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script execution via web applications, making it particularly concerning for organizations with limited security monitoring capabilities.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including comprehensive input validation, output encoding, and the implementation of Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of Gleez CMS where proper sanitization mechanisms have been implemented to filter dangerous HTML content before storage. Security measures should include configuring the application to strip or escape JavaScript code from user inputs, implementing proper HTML sanitization libraries, and establishing regular security audits of content management interfaces. Additionally, administrators should be trained to recognize potential XSS attack vectors and implement principle of least privilege access controls to limit the impact of successful attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization in web applications and aligns with NIST SP 800-160 security guidelines for secure coding practices in content management systems, emphasizing the need for defense-in-depth strategies that protect against persistent threats within web-based content management environments.