CVE-2020-25394 in moziloCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/10/2021
A stored cross site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in moziloCMS 2.0 allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML via a crafted payload entered into the "Content" parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2021
The vulnerability CVE-2020-25394 represents a critical stored cross site scripting flaw within moziloCMS version 2.0 that fundamentally compromises the security integrity of the content management system. This issue affects authenticated users who possess valid credentials to access the cms interface, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages legitimate user privileges to execute malicious code. The vulnerability specifically manifests when attackers manipulate the "Content" parameter during content creation or modification processes, allowing them to inject persistent malicious scripts that remain stored within the system's database.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the cms application. When users enter content through the administrative interface, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before storing it in the database. This allows attackers to embed malicious javascript payloads or html code that gets executed whenever other users view the affected content. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious code persists indefinitely until manually removed by administrators, creating a persistent threat vector that can affect multiple users over extended periods.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations relying on moziloCMS for their web content management. Attackers can leverage this flaw to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, deface web pages, or execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. The authenticated nature of the attack means that malicious actors need only compromise a single user account to potentially gain broader access to the cms functionality and associated data. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which classifies cross site scripting as a common weakness in web applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows a predictable pattern where attackers craft malicious payloads containing javascript code or html tags that are then stored in the cms database. These payloads can include cookie theft scripts, redirector code, or more sophisticated malicious payloads that establish persistent backdoors. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers can use this vulnerability to compromise the entire cms infrastructure, potentially leading to complete system takeover or data exfiltration. Organizations should consider implementing immediate mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and regular security audits to prevent unauthorized access to their cms systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper data sanitization in web applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.