CVE-2019-7173 in Croogo
Summary
by MITRE
A stored-self XSS exists in Croogo through v3.0.5, allowing an attacker to execute HTML or JavaScript code in a vulnerable Title field to /admin/file-manager/attachments/edit/4.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2019-7173 represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw in the Croogo content management system version 3.0.5 and earlier. This security weakness resides within the file manager attachment editing functionality where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users. The vulnerability specifically affects the Title field in the URL path /admin/file-manager/attachments/edit/4, making it possible for attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's database and execute whenever the affected page is accessed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Croogo framework. When administrators or users edit attachment metadata through the file manager interface, the system fails to properly escape or sanitize special characters in the Title field. This allows attackers to inject HTML tags or JavaScript code that gets stored in the database and subsequently executed in the browser context of any user who views the affected attachment record. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload remains persistent even after the initial injection, making it particularly dangerous for administrators who may unknowingly execute the code when reviewing or editing files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it creates a persistent backdoor for attackers to gain unauthorized access to the system. An attacker could inject malicious code that steals session cookies, redirects users to phishing sites, or even establishes a reverse shell to maintain persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability affects the administrative interface specifically, which means that successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise if administrators are tricked into viewing the maliciously crafted attachment records. This type of vulnerability also enables privilege escalation attacks where attackers can manipulate the application's behavior to gain elevated privileges within the CMS environment.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique for "Command and Control" through "Web Shell" or "Remote Access Tool" execution, as attackers can establish persistent access through the stored script execution. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures including HTML escaping, content security policies, and regular security audits of web applications. The mitigation strategy should include immediate patching of the Croogo CMS to version 3.0.6 or later, implementing proper output encoding for all user-supplied content, and conducting thorough security reviews of all input fields within the application's administrative interfaces. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect suspicious script injection attempts and establish proper user access controls to limit administrative privileges to only necessary personnel.