CVE-2019-7356 in Subrion CMS
Summary
by MITRE • 11/05/2020
Subrion CMS v4.2.1 allows XSS via the panel/phrases/ VALUE parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7356 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within Subrion CMS version 4.2.1 that specifically affects the panel/phrases/ endpoint. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the content management system's administrative interface. The vulnerability manifests when user-supplied data is directly incorporated into web page responses without proper sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the application's response.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the VALUE parameter within the panel/phrases/ URI path, where the application fails to properly escape or validate user input before rendering it in the web interface. This flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored XSS vulnerability since the malicious payload can persist in the application's database and affect multiple users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets the administrative panel, which typically operates with elevated privileges and sensitive data access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with the ability to hijack administrator sessions, steal sensitive credentials, and potentially gain full control over the CMS installation. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that execute in the context of authenticated administrator sessions, enabling them to modify content, delete database entries, or establish persistent backdoors within the system. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal prerequisites and can be executed through simple HTTP requests, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently interact with the panel interface.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the T1059.007 technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566.001 for Phishing. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic weakness in input validation and output encoding that aligns with common web application security misconfigurations. Organizations utilizing Subrion CMS should implement immediate mitigations including input sanitization, output encoding, and proper parameter validation. The recommended approach involves updating to the latest version of Subrion CMS where this vulnerability has been patched, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting comprehensive security testing to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application's codebase. Additionally, security teams should review and enhance their input validation processes to prevent similar issues in custom applications that may utilize similar architectural patterns.