CVE-2020-36498 in Macs Framework Content Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 10/23/2021
Macrob7 Macs Framework Content Management System - 1.14f contains a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the account reset function, which allows attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML via a crafted payload in the e-mail input field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-36498 affects the Macrob7 Macs Framework Content Management System version 1.14f, specifically within its account reset functionality. This represents a critical security flaw that exposes the system to cross-site scripting attacks, allowing malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code through carefully crafted input payloads. The vulnerability manifests when users attempt to reset their account credentials through the email input field, creating a persistent vector for exploitation that can compromise user sessions and potentially escalate to more severe attacks.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the account reset component of the CMS. When the system processes email addresses submitted during the password reset procedure, it fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This lack of proper sanitization creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they interact with the compromised system. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS issue under CWE-79, which specifically addresses the failure to properly encode output that is then interpreted as HTML or script by web browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged to perform session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration attacks. Attackers can craft malicious email addresses that, when processed by the reset function, deliver payloads that steal cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or execute commands on behalf of authenticated users. This vulnerability particularly threatens user authentication mechanisms and can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive content management features. The attack surface is broad since any user with access to the password reset functionality could be targeted, making this a significant risk for organizations relying on the Macrob7 framework for their content management operations.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of mitigation to address this vulnerability effectively. The primary defense involves implementing strict input validation and output encoding mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing it within the account reset function. This includes applying proper HTML escaping and character encoding to prevent script injection attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies that restrict script execution within the application context, as well as deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious payload patterns. According to ATT&CK framework methodology, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment) and T1071.001 (Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols) as attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent access through compromised user sessions. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of the Macrob7 Macs Framework CMS, ensuring all input fields undergo proper sanitization, and implementing comprehensive security testing procedures that include dynamic analysis of user input handling mechanisms.