CVE-2019-9550 in DhCms
Summary
by MITRE
DhCms through 2017-09-18 has admin.php?r=admin/Index/index XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9550 affects DhCms versions up to and including the 2017-09-18 release, specifically targeting the admin.php?r=admin/Index/index endpoint. This represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The flaw exists within the administrative interface of the content management system, making it particularly concerning as it could potentially be exploited by attackers who have gained access to administrative credentials or who can manipulate the application's input handling mechanisms. The vulnerability falls under the category of persistent cross-site scripting attacks where malicious code can be executed in the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the DhCms administrative interface. When user-supplied parameters are processed through the index action of the admin controller without proper sanitization, malicious payloads can be stored and subsequently executed when the page is rendered. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-79 - Cross-site Scripting, which is a fundamental web application security weakness that occurs when an application includes untrusted data in a web page without proper validation or escaping. The specific attack vector involves the manipulation of URL parameters that are directly reflected in the page content, allowing an attacker to inject script code that executes in the victim's browser context. This weakness enables attackers to bypass standard security controls and can result in session hijacking, defacement of web pages, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the context of the compromised system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially access administrative functions, modify content, steal user sessions, or perform actions that compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the entire content management system. The vulnerability's presence in the administrative interface makes it particularly dangerous as it could allow for privilege escalation or unauthorized access to sensitive system information. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, where attackers can execute malicious JavaScript code within the victim's browser environment. Additionally, the exploitation could lead to T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers might use the XSS vulnerability to deliver malicious payloads through crafted email attachments or links.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. The immediate solution involves sanitizing all user-provided input before it is processed or stored, ensuring that any potentially malicious script content is properly escaped or removed. Developers should implement proper HTML escaping for all dynamic content rendered in web pages, particularly within administrative interfaces where sensitive operations occur. The fix should also include implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution, and regular security audits of input handling mechanisms to identify similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability, while maintaining up-to-date patches and monitoring systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms within the administrative interface can help limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, as unauthorized access attempts can be detected and prevented through proper security controls.