CVE-2019-13341 in miniCMS
Summary
by MITRE
In MiniCMS V1.10, stored XSS was found in mc-admin/conf.php (comment box), which can be used to get a user's cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-13341 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within MiniCMS version 1.10, specifically affecting the administrative configuration interface. This vulnerability exists in the mc-admin/conf.php file within the comment box functionality, creating a persistent security risk that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the application's database. The flaw enables unauthorized parties to execute arbitrary code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially compromising user authentication and authorization mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the comment handling functionality of the administrative panel. When users submit comments through the mc-admin/conf.php interface, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before storing it in the database. This stored data is then subsequently rendered back to users without proper security measures, creating an ideal environment for cross-site scripting attacks. The vulnerability specifically targets the comment box field, which serves as an entry point for malicious script injection that persists across multiple user sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to harvest user cookies and potentially escalate privileges within the application. When authenticated users view the maliciously crafted comments, their browsers execute the embedded scripts, which can capture session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform other unauthorized actions. This stored XSS vulnerability effectively undermines the integrity of the application's authentication system, as attackers can impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. The persistence of the vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious scripts continue to affect users until the stored content is manually removed from the database.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 for "Modify Application Configuration". The attack surface is particularly concerning given that this affects an administrative interface, potentially allowing attackers to gain elevated privileges and compromise the entire CMS installation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input sanitization, output encoding, and content security policies to prevent script execution in the comment fields. Additionally, regular security audits of input validation mechanisms and proper parameterized queries should be enforced to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future development cycles.
Mitigation strategies must address both the immediate remediation of the stored XSS vulnerability and the implementation of comprehensive security controls. The most effective immediate fix involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before storage and rendering. Organizations should also deploy content security policies that restrict script execution within the application context and implement proper access controls to limit who can submit comments to administrative interfaces. Regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in preventing XSS attacks, particularly in administrative interfaces where the potential for privilege escalation exists.