CVE-2019-1010235 in Frog
Summary
by MITRE
Frog CMS 1.1 is affected by: Cross Site Scripting (XSS). The impact is: Cookie stealing, Alert pop-up on page, Redirecting to another phishing site, Executing browser exploits. The component is: Snippets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2023
Frog CMS version 1.1 contains a critical cross site scripting vulnerability located within the Snippets component that poses significant security risks to web applications utilizing this content management system. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the application's response, which then executes in the context of other users' browsers when they view affected pages. The vulnerability specifically affects the Snippets functionality where users can create and manage reusable code blocks or content fragments that are later embedded within the main content structure.
The security implications of this XSS vulnerability extend far beyond simple script execution, encompassing several dangerous attack vectors that can compromise user sessions and system integrity. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies and authentication tokens, effectively hijacking user accounts and gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information. The malicious scripts can also trigger alert pop-ups that may be used for social engineering purposes or to confirm successful exploitation. More sophisticated attacks can redirect users to phishing sites that closely mimic legitimate interfaces, enabling credential harvesting and further compromise of the affected system. Additionally, the vulnerability can be exploited to execute browser-based exploits that take advantage of other unpatched vulnerabilities in the user's browser or browser plugins, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross site scripting flaws in web applications. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script execution and T1531 for credential access through session hijacking. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to implement proper context-aware output encoding when rendering user-generated content from the Snippets component. This lack of input sanitization creates an environment where attacker-controlled data can be seamlessly integrated into the application's HTML structure, bypassing standard security mechanisms designed to prevent such injection attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a core component used for content management and can be exploited through various vectors including direct input manipulation, file upload scenarios, or through compromised user accounts that can modify snippets.
Organizations utilizing Frog CMS 1.1 should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary remediation involves updating to a patched version of Frog CMS that implements proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms for all user-supplied data within the Snippets component. Security patches should include context-aware escaping of special characters and implementation of Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense in depth, though these should not be considered a replacement for proper code-level fixes. Regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application. User education regarding the dangers of clicking suspicious links or visiting untrusted websites remains essential, particularly when dealing with systems that may be vulnerable to phishing attacks initiated through this XSS vector. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing secure coding practices and regular security assessments to prevent exploitation of common web application flaws that can lead to significant security breaches and data compromise.