CVE-2020-36007 in AppCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 06/04/2021
AppCMS 2.0.101 in /admin/template/tpl_app.php has a cross site scripting attack vulnerability which allows the attacker to obtain sensitive information of other users.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-36007 affects AppCMS version 2.0.101 and resides within the administrative template file tpl_app.php. This cross site scripting vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that enables attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising user sessions and accessing sensitive information. The issue specifically manifests in the admin interface where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to the browser. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes cross site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding. This weakness allows attackers to inject malicious code that can steal session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive data from authenticated users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input that gets processed by the tpl_app.php template and subsequently rendered in the admin interface. When other users view the affected page, their browsers execute the injected scripts, enabling the attacker to access their sessions and potentially escalate privileges. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as the XSS attack can be leveraged for session hijacking, credential theft, and further exploitation of the application. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in administrative contexts where users have elevated privileges and access to sensitive system information. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 which describes the use of scripting languages to execute commands and T1566.001 which covers the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities for initial access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it undermines the integrity of user sessions within the AppCMS administrative environment. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the application as sensitive information can be extracted without proper authorization. Organizations using this version of AppCMS face increased risk of data breaches, unauthorized modifications to content, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The attack surface expands when considering that authenticated users may be tricked into viewing malicious content through social engineering or compromised web pages that leverage this XSS vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-36007 should include immediate patching of the AppCMS application to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious scripts from being executed. The application should employ Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in the application code. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious activities can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include user education to prevent social engineering attacks that may leverage this vulnerability for initial access. Organizations should consider implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts and regularly review access controls to minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.