CVE-2018-9173 in GetSimple
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in admin/template/js/uploadify/uploadify.swf in GetSimple CMS 3.3.13 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML, as demonstrated by the movieName parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9173 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the GetSimple CMS 3.3.13 administrative interface. This issue specifically affects the uploadify.swf Flash component located in the admin/template/js/uploadify directory, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to exploit web application security weaknesses. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the parameter handling mechanism, particularly concerning the movieName parameter that is processed without proper security controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the movieName parameter within the Flash-based uploadify component, which fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied input before incorporating it into the web page response. This allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML content that executes in the context of other users' browsers who visit the affected administrative interface. The flaw exists at the application layer where client-side Flash components interact with server-side parameters, creating an attack surface that violates fundamental web security principles. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting flaws in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-9173 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, deface the administrative interface, steal sensitive credentials, or redirect users to malicious websites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the CMS administration interface, providing attackers with potential access to critical system functions and content management capabilities. Attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent access to the CMS environment, making it a high-value target for threat actors seeking long-term system compromise. The attack vector requires no authentication for exploitation, making it accessible to anyone with knowledge of the vulnerable component and its parameter structure.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the GetSimple CMS to version 3.3.14 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their web applications, particularly for parameters that are processed by Flash components or other client-side technologies. The implementation of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide additional protection against script injection attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in legacy Flash components and other third-party libraries. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers scripting through web shell execution, and demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities in content management systems.