CVE-2023-29998 in g3w-suite
Summary
by MITRE • 07/07/2023
A Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the content editor in Gis3W g3w-suite 3.5 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML and gain privileges via the description parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2025
The CVE-2023-29998 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Gis3W g3w-suite 3.5 content editor component. This security weakness specifically targets the description parameter handling mechanism, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability affects the web application's content management interface where users can input descriptive text for various data elements and map features. Given that the exploit requires authentication, it represents a privilege escalation risk that could potentially allow attackers with valid credentials to manipulate the application's behavior and user interactions. The flaw resides in the insufficient sanitization and validation of user input within the content editor's description field, which fails to properly encode or escape special characters that could be interpreted as executable code by web browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows established XSS attack patterns where malicious input containing script tags or other executable code is submitted through the description parameter. When the application subsequently renders this content without proper output encoding, the injected scripts execute in the browser context of other users who view the affected content. This creates a persistent XSS scenario where the malicious code can be triggered whenever users access the vulnerable description fields. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages authenticated user sessions, meaning that attackers with valid login credentials can manipulate the application's behavior and potentially access sensitive data or perform unauthorized actions within the application's scope. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a weakness involving the improper handling of untrusted data in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-29998 extends beyond simple script execution to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the application. Attackers could craft malicious descriptions that redirect users to phishing sites, steal session cookies, or inject malware that targets the application's user base. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the Gis3W g3w-suite environment, potentially compromising sensitive geospatial data and user information. Organizations relying on this suite for mapping and geospatial data management face significant risks as the vulnerability could be exploited to manipulate map data, alter project descriptions, or gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. The persistent nature of XSS vulnerabilities means that once exploited, malicious scripts can continue to affect users until the vulnerability is patched and the affected content is properly sanitized.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the content editor component. The application must sanitize all user-provided content, particularly in description fields, by implementing comprehensive HTML escaping and sanitization routines before rendering content to end users. Organizations should enforce strict content security policies that prevent the execution of inline scripts and restrict the use of dangerous HTML elements and attributes. The fix should incorporate proper parameter validation that rejects or sanitizes potentially malicious input patterns including script tags, event handlers, and other XSS attack vectors. Additionally, implementing a robust web application firewall and monitoring for suspicious input patterns can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing role-based access controls and audit logging to track user activities and identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following OWASP Top Ten security practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect web applications from common injection vulnerabilities. This remediation effort should align with NIST cybersecurity frameworks and industry best practices for web application security.