CVE-2019-10238 in Sitemagic CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Sitemagic CMS v4.4 has XSS in SMFiles/FrmUpload.class.php via the filename parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2019-10238 represents a cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Sitemagic CMS version 4.4 within the SMFiles/FrmUpload.class.php component. This security weakness specifically manifests through the filename parameter, which fails to properly sanitize user input before processing and rendering within the web application's response. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms that allow malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the application's file upload functionality. When a user uploads a file with a specially crafted filename containing script tags or other malicious code, the application processes this input without sufficient sanitization, creating an avenue for attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of other users' browsers.
This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification of CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly encode or escape user-controllable data before including it in web page output. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it leverages the file upload mechanism, which is a commonly used and trusted functionality within content management systems. The flaw enables attackers to construct malicious filenames that, when processed by the vulnerable application, can execute scripts in the victim's browser session. This represents a classic persistent XSS vulnerability where the malicious payload is stored within the application's file system and executed whenever the affected page is accessed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can potentially enable attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, manipulate data, or redirect users to malicious websites. In the context of a content management system, successful exploitation could allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access to administrative functions, modify website content, or even escalate privileges within the application. The vulnerability affects all users who interact with the file upload functionality, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where administrators and regular users share the same application interface. The attack requires minimal privileges to exploit since the vulnerability exists in a publicly accessible upload component, making it a prime target for automated scanning tools and opportunistic attackers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-10238 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input, particularly filenames, by removing or encoding potentially dangerous characters such as angle brackets, quotes, and script tags. Implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of defense against script execution. Organizations should also ensure that all file uploads are properly validated, including checking file extensions, MIME types, and content signatures to prevent malicious files from being stored on the server. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213 - Data from Information Repositories, as it enables attackers to potentially access and manipulate data through the compromised file upload mechanism. Patch management is critical, as this vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases of Sitemagic CMS, making timely updates essential for maintaining system security.