CVE-2019-7543 in KindEditor
Summary
by MITRE
In KindEditor 4.1.11, the php/demo.php content1 parameter has a reflected Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7543 resides within KindEditor version 4.1.11, specifically in the php/demo.php script where the content1 parameter is susceptible to reflected cross-site scripting attacks. This flaw represents a classic security weakness that allows malicious actors to inject client-side scripts into web applications that process user input without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious script is reflected off the web server back to the victim's browser, typically through a crafted URL that includes the malicious payload in the content1 parameter.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the KindEditor php demo script. When users provide input through the content1 parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize or encode the data before returning it to the browser context. This creates an environment where attackers can embed malicious javascript code within the parameter value, which then gets executed in the victim's browser when the page is rendered. The vulnerability manifests as a reflected XSS issue, which falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') and specifically aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, redirection to malicious sites, and data exfiltration. An attacker could craft a malicious URL containing a payload that, when visited by an authenticated user, would execute in the victim's browser context with the privileges of that user. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, modification of web content, or even complete compromise of user sessions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where KindEditor is used for content management or user-generated content systems, as it provides attackers with a direct vector for injecting malicious code into the application's interface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-7543 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the KindEditor application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-provided input through comprehensive validation and encoding before processing or displaying the content. Organizations should update to patched versions of KindEditor where available, as the vendor has likely addressed this vulnerability in subsequent releases. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls can also help detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability, though they should not be considered a replacement for proper code-level fixes. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and output encoding practices in web application security, aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and other industry standards.