CVE-2018-9015 in dsmall
Summary
by MITRE
dsmall v20180320 allows XSS via the public/index.php/home/predeposit/index.html pdr_sn parameter (aka the CMS search box).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9015 affects the dsmall v20180320 content management system, specifically targeting the public/index.php/home/predeposit/index.html endpoint. This flaw manifests as a cross-site scripting vulnerability that occurs when the pdr_sn parameter is manipulated through what appears to be the CMS search box functionality. The vulnerability represents a critical security weakness that could enable attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of users' browsers who interact with the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the CMS's parameter handling mechanism. When the pdr_sn parameter is passed through the search box interface without proper sanitization, malicious payloads can be injected and subsequently executed by other users who access the vulnerable page. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly sanitize user inputs before incorporating them into web page content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. An attacker could craft malicious payloads that redirect users to phishing sites, steal session cookies, or inject malicious code that persists within the application's user interface. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated through various attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the CMS.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is primarily limited to the specific endpoint and parameter combination, yet its impact can be significant due to the nature of cross-site scripting attacks. The vulnerability exists in the application's user-facing interface where search functionality is implemented, making it accessible to both authenticated and unauthenticated users. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as the vulnerability could be exploited through malicious search queries delivered via phishing campaigns or other social engineering tactics.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. The most effective immediate fix involves sanitizing all user inputs, particularly those that are directly reflected in the web page output, using appropriate encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding. Additionally, implementing a Content Security Policy (CSP) header can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution even if input validation fails. Regular security code reviews and input validation testing should be integrated into the development lifecycle to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future versions of the CMS. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of implementing proper parameter validation and ensuring that all user-supplied data is treated as potentially malicious until proven otherwise.