CVE-2018-8070 in QCMS
Summary
by MITRE
QCMS version 3.0 has XSS via the title parameter to the /guest/index.html URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8070 affects QCMS version 3.0 and represents a cross-site scripting flaw that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications through the title parameter of the /guest/index.html URI. This issue falls under the category of insecure input handling where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized or validated before being processed and rendered back to users. The vulnerability exists within the guest user interface component of the QCMS platform, specifically targeting the title parameter that is used to display content to visitors. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic XSS attack vector where the application fails to properly escape or filter special characters in the title parameter before incorporating it into HTML output. When a user accesses the guest index page with a maliciously crafted title parameter, the application processes this input without adequate sanitization, allowing attackers to inject script tags or other malicious code. The vulnerability specifically targets the guest user interface, indicating that the security controls are insufficient to protect against malicious input even in publicly accessible areas of the application. This flaw aligns with CWE-79 which defines the weakness of cross-site scripting in web applications where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or sanitization, making it a direct violation of secure coding practices.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-8070 extends beyond simple script execution as it creates a potential pathway for more sophisticated attacks within the QCMS environment. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject malicious content that could compromise the integrity of the guest user experience. The vulnerability affects the application's guest functionality, which typically serves as an entry point for external users, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on guest access for public-facing content or services. This weakness could be exploited in conjunction with other attack vectors to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within the system, particularly if the guest interface shares session information or authentication contexts with other parts of the application. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to user trust and data integrity, as it allows attackers to manipulate content displayed to legitimate users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8070 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the QCMS application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input, particularly parameters like the title field, by implementing proper HTML escaping techniques before rendering content back to users. Organizations should apply the principle of least privilege by ensuring that guest users have minimal access rights and that all input parameters are strictly validated against expected formats and character sets. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded, preventing malicious code execution even if the primary vulnerability is not fully patched. Security teams should also consider deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious input patterns targeting XSS vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses throughout the application, with particular attention to areas where user input is processed and displayed in web interfaces. The remediation process should include updating to a patched version of QCMS 3.0 or implementing proper input sanitization measures that align with OWASP secure coding guidelines and address the underlying CWE-79 vulnerability.