CVE-2020-36412 in CMS Made Simple
Summary
by MITRE • 07/03/2021
A stored cross scripting (XSS) vulnerability in CMS Made Simple 2.2.14 allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML via a crafted payload entered into the "Search Text" field under the "Admin Search" module.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2021
This vulnerability exists within CMS Made Simple version 2.2.14, representing a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that enables authenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts into the application's search functionality. The vulnerability specifically manifests when an attacker with valid credentials submits a crafted payload through the "Search Text" field within the "Admin Search" module. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied content before it is stored and subsequently rendered in subsequent page displays. This allows the malicious script to execute within the context of other users' browsers who view the affected search results, creating a persistent threat vector that can compromise multiple users over time.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without adequate validation or escaping. The attack requires an authenticated user session, typically involving administrative privileges, which lowers the barrier to exploitation compared to unauthenticated XSS vectors. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload persists in the application's database and executes each time affected search results are displayed, making it particularly dangerous for administrative interfaces where sensitive operations occur. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized administrative actions, redirect users to malicious sites, or even execute arbitrary commands depending on the application's configuration and the victim's privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-36412 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within the CMS environment. When an administrator or privileged user views search results containing the malicious payload, the script executes in their browser context with their elevated privileges, potentially enabling privilege escalation attacks or data exfiltration. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the CMS system, as it allows attackers to manipulate content, access restricted areas, and potentially compromise the entire application. The persistent nature means that even after the initial injection, the vulnerability remains active until the malicious content is removed from the database, creating a long-term security risk that can be exploited repeatedly by different attackers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of CMS Made Simple to version 2.2.15 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement input validation and output encoding mechanisms to sanitize all user-supplied data before storage, particularly within administrative interfaces. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Network segmentation and privileged access controls can help limit the impact if exploitation occurs, while implementing web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization in administrative interfaces, as highlighted by ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection, and underscores the need for comprehensive security measures throughout the application lifecycle.