CVE-2020-19158 in S-CMS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2021
Cross Site Scripting (XSS) in S-CMS build 20191014 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via the 'Site Title' parameter of the component '/data/admin/#/app/config/'.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2021
This cross site scripting vulnerability exists in S-CMS version 20191014 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. The vulnerability specifically affects the Site Title parameter within the administrative configuration component located at /data/admin/#/app/config/. The flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems by leveraging the improper input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of the Site Title parameter, which is processed through the administrative interface without proper HTML escaping or validation. This creates an environment where malicious scripts can be injected and subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability operates as a classic reflected XSS attack where the malicious payload is embedded in the Site Title field and then reflected back to users who view the affected configuration page, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with the capability to compromise the administrative interface of the CMS system. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to sensitive configuration data, modification of site content, user account compromise, and potential lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects the core administrative functionality of S-CMS, making it particularly dangerous as it directly targets the system's configuration management capabilities where privileged users typically interact with sensitive system parameters.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 which involves accessing data through web application interfaces, and T1566 which covers social engineering techniques that can be amplified through XSS vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and proper content security policies to prevent script execution. The most effective remediation involves sanitizing all user inputs, implementing strict HTML escaping mechanisms, and ensuring that the Site Title parameter undergoes proper validation before being stored or displayed in the administrative interface.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in web applications and highlights how seemingly benign configuration parameters can become attack vectors when insufficiently protected. Organizations using S-CMS versions prior to the patched release should prioritize immediate remediation efforts, including updating to the latest version, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of their administrative interfaces to identify similar vulnerabilities.