CVE-2020-25422 in Mara
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2021
A cross site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in menuedit.php of Mara CMS 7.5 allows attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML via a crafted payload.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-25422 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw within the Mara CMS 7.5 content management system specifically affecting the menuedit.php component. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a common weakness in web application security. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML content within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially compromising user data and system integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through improper input validation and output encoding within the menuedit.php file which handles menu editing functionality. When users interact with the menu management interface, the application fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied input parameters before rendering them in the web page output. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads containing script tags or other HTML elements that get executed when legitimate users view the affected page. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the user interface level where legitimate users interact with the CMS functionality.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-25422 extends beyond simple script execution to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within the compromised environment. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface the website content, or even escalate privileges within the CMS if the application lacks proper access controls. The vulnerability affects any user who has access to the menu editing functionality, potentially including administrators who might be tricked into clicking malicious links or viewing compromised menu entries. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on Mara CMS 7.5 for their web presence.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers can use the XSS to deliver malicious payloads and manipulate user behavior. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks. Organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers as a defensive measure, though this represents a secondary mitigation rather than a primary fix. The recommended remediation involves implementing proper input validation, output encoding, and adopting secure coding practices that align with OWASP Top Ten guidelines for preventing cross site scripting vulnerabilities.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a persistent risk in legacy CMS installations where patch management may be inadequate or delayed. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise, making it attractive to both automated attack tools and less sophisticated threat actors. Organizations maintaining Mara CMS 7.5 should prioritize immediate patching or implementation of compensating controls to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of regular security assessments and the critical need for maintaining up-to-date software versions to prevent known vulnerabilities from being exploited in the wild.