CVE-2019-8432 in CmsEasy
Summary
by MITRE
In CmsEasy 7.0, there is XSS via the ckplayer.php url parameter.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8432 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within CmsEasy version 7.0 that specifically targets the ckplayer.php component through the url parameter. This issue falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical security weakness in web applications that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into content viewed by other users. The vulnerability exists in the media player functionality of the content management system, where user-supplied input from the url parameter is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered in web pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within the url parameter of the ckplayer.php endpoint. When a victim visits this crafted link, the malicious script executes in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices where the application fails to properly escape or filter user-controllable data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. This weakness allows attackers to bypass the normal security restrictions that protect web applications from unauthorized script execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8432 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities within the context of authenticated users. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even inject persistent scripts that compromise user browsers for extended periods. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the web application's user interface and can potentially lead to privilege escalation if the application's authentication mechanisms are compromised. Given that this is a reflected XSS vulnerability, the attack requires user interaction through clicking malicious links, but the impact can be significant when considering the potential for session manipulation and data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious scripts from being executed in the browser context. The application should sanitize all user-supplied input through proper escaping techniques before rendering it in web pages, particularly when dealing with dynamic content generation. Security patches should be applied immediately to update the CmsEasy installation to a version that addresses this specific vulnerability. Organizations should also implement content security policies to limit script execution and monitor for suspicious URL patterns. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Scripting and T1531 for Account Access Removal, as it can facilitate unauthorized access to user sessions and potentially compromise system integrity through browser-based attacks. Additionally, regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar issues in other components of the web application stack.