CVE-2019-17225 in Subrion CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Subrion 4.2.1 allows XSS via the panel/members/ Username, Full Name, or Email field, aka an "Admin Member JSON Update" issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-17225 represents a cross-site scripting weakness within Subrion content management system version 4.2.1 that specifically targets administrative interfaces. This issue manifests in the member management functionality where administrators can update user information through JSON-based API endpoints. The flaw exists in how the system processes and renders user input fields including username, full name, and email addresses within the administrative member panel. When malicious actors exploit this vulnerability, they can inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other administrators or users who view the affected member records. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the administrative interface, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive system functions.
This XSS vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category of CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications. The issue demonstrates characteristics of a reflected XSS attack pattern where malicious input is directly reflected back to users without proper sanitization or encoding. The attack vector operates through the panel/members/ endpoint which handles JSON update operations for member records, making it a server-side vulnerability that can be exploited by sending crafted payloads through API calls. The vulnerability's impact is amplified because it affects administrative interfaces where users typically have elevated privileges and access to sensitive system data and configuration options.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities within the administrative context. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially steal administrator session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, modify member records, or even escalate privileges within the system. The JSON-based update mechanism creates an additional attack surface since the system likely processes JSON payloads without adequate input validation, allowing malicious code to be embedded directly into the database fields. This type of vulnerability can also serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data exfiltration.
Organizations using Subrion 4.2.1 should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability. The primary defense involves implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding for all user-supplied data within administrative interfaces. This includes validating and escaping all input fields before storing or rendering them in the user interface. The system should employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to prevent unauthorized script execution and implement proper CSRF protection mechanisms. Additionally, administrators should consider restricting access to administrative interfaces through network segmentation and implementing multi-factor authentication. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213 which covers data from information repositories, and T1078 which covers valid accounts, as attackers could leverage compromised administrative sessions to gain deeper system access. Regular security updates and patch management should be prioritized to address similar vulnerabilities that may exist in the broader codebase, as this indicates potential gaps in the application's overall security architecture and input validation processes.