CVE-2019-6243 in Frog
Summary
by MITRE
Frog CMS 0.9.5 allows XSS via the forgot password page (aka the /admin/?/login/forgot URI).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-6243 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within Frog CMS version 0.9.5 that specifically targets the password recovery functionality. This issue occurs on the forgot password page accessible through the /admin/?/login/forgot URI, making it a critical vector for attacker exploitation. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape user-supplied data before rendering it within the web application's response. Attackers can leverage this weakness by injecting malicious javascript code through the password reset form fields, potentially compromising user sessions and executing unauthorized actions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web page content without adequate sanitization. The flaw manifests when user input containing malicious scripts is processed by the forgot password handler and subsequently rendered back to the user without proper HTML escaping or context-appropriate encoding. This allows attackers to inject script payloads that execute in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects the authentication flow specifically, making it particularly dangerous as it targets users attempting to recover compromised credentials.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-6243 extends beyond simple script execution to encompass potential privilege escalation and persistent security breaches. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can manipulate the password reset process to redirect users to phishing pages or inject persistent malicious scripts that compromise user sessions. This weakness particularly affects web applications using outdated CMS frameworks where security patches have not been applied, creating a window of opportunity for attackers to exploit the vulnerable authentication mechanism. The impact is compounded by the fact that users attempting to reset passwords are typically in a state of trust and vulnerability, making them more susceptible to exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the Frog CMS application to version 0.9.6 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application, particularly for all user-supplied data entering the system. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while regular security audits should verify that all form inputs are properly sanitized before processing. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect suspicious patterns in authentication-related requests, and security awareness training should emphasize the importance of verifying URL authenticity during password recovery processes. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the need for robust perimeter defenses and application security controls. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar issues in other application components, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar cross-site scripting attacks.