CVE-2018-8767 in joyplus-cms
Summary
by MITRE
joyplus-cms 1.6.0 has XSS in manager/admin_ajax.php?action=save&tab={pre}vod_type via the t_name parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-8767 affects joyplus-cms version 1.6.0 and represents a cross-site scripting flaw located within the manager/admin_ajax.php script. This specific vulnerability manifests when processing requests with the action parameter set to save and the tab parameter containing a payload that includes the {pre}vod_type placeholder. The t_name parameter serves as the primary injection vector for this security weakness, allowing malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting conditions where input data is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users. This weakness directly enables attackers to perform session hijacking, deface web applications, or redirect users to malicious sites without their knowledge.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the CMS administrative interface. When administrators or authorized users navigate to the affected page and interact with the tab parameter containing malicious payloads, the system fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. The {pre}vod_type placeholder suggests this CMS utilizes a prefix system for database tables, making the vulnerability exploitable across different content types within the system. Attackers can craft payloads that leverage this weakness to inject malicious scripts that execute in the browser context of any user who views the affected page or interacts with the vulnerable functionality. The attack requires minimal privileges since the vulnerability exists within the administrative interface, potentially allowing attackers to escalate their access level or compromise the entire system through session manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-8767 extends beyond simple script execution as it enables persistent threats that can compromise the integrity of the entire content management system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can establish persistent backdoors through the injection of JavaScript code that remains active across multiple sessions. This weakness creates a pathway for data exfiltration, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive administrative information, user credentials, or confidential content management data. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers scripting through web shells, making it particularly dangerous for maintaining long-term access to compromised systems. Organizations using this version of joyplus-cms face significant risk of unauthorized modifications to website content, potential data breaches, and complete system compromise through session hijacking attacks. The vulnerability is especially concerning in environments where administrators frequently access the CMS interface, as the attack surface expands with each user interaction.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8767 should prioritize immediate patching of the joyplus-cms version to address the underlying input validation issues. Organizations must implement proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms that prevent the execution of unauthorized scripts within the application. The fix should include comprehensive validation of all user-supplied input parameters, particularly those used in administrative functions, with strict filtering of potentially dangerous characters and patterns. Security measures should follow the principle of least privilege by ensuring that administrative functions are properly authenticated and that access controls are enforced through secure session management practices. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution even if the primary vulnerability is not fully patched. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads targeting known XSS patterns, while maintaining regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities within the CMS or related applications. The remediation process must include thorough testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in legitimate functionality while maintaining the security posture of the entire content management ecosystem.