CVE-2023-43354 in CMS Made Simple
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Cross Site Scripting vulnerability in CMSmadesimple v.2.2.18 allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted script to the Profiles parameter in the Extensions -MicroTiny WYSIWYG editor component.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2026
This cross site scripting vulnerability exists within the CMSmadesimple content management system version 2.2.18 specifically within the MicroTiny WYSIWYG editor component. The flaw manifests when a local attacker crafts a malicious script and submits it through the Profiles parameter, creating a path for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability represents a critical security risk that can be exploited by attackers who already have local access to the system, potentially escalating their privileges or compromising the entire platform. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses that occur when an application includes untrusted data in a new web page without proper validation or encoding, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The attack vector leverages the local attacker's ability to manipulate input parameters within the MicroTiny editor, which is designed to handle rich text formatting but fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data. The operational impact extends beyond simple script execution as this vulnerability can enable attackers to gain persistent access to the system, potentially leading to complete compromise of the CMS environment. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in input validation and output encoding practices that should be implemented according to industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten. The MicroTiny component serves as a vector for exploitation because it processes user inputs without adequate sanitization, creating an environment where malicious payloads can be stored and later executed when the content is rendered. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering tactics involving the exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications to gain unauthorized access. The local privilege required for exploitation suggests that attackers must first obtain some level of system access before they can leverage this vulnerability, but once achieved, the potential for damage is significant. The vulnerability's presence in a widely used CMS platform like CMSmadesimple makes it particularly concerning as it could affect numerous websites that rely on this software for content management. Organizations should be aware that this vulnerability could be exploited in conjunction with other attack vectors to create more sophisticated compromise scenarios, especially when combined with other local privilege escalation techniques. The security implications extend to data integrity and confidentiality as attackers could potentially access sensitive information or modify content in ways that could damage the organization's reputation. The remediation process requires immediate patching of the CMSmadesimple platform to version 2.2.19 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the input validation issues in the MicroTiny editor. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring to detect unusual activity in the editor components and consider implementing web application firewalls to help prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and timely patch management to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities in content management systems. Organizations using CMSmadesimple should also conduct thorough code reviews of their custom extensions to ensure that similar input validation issues do not exist in other components of their platform. The incident underscores the need for comprehensive security awareness training for developers who work with web applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced into production systems.