CVE-2023-46952 in ABO.CMS
Summary
by MITRE • 01/17/2024
Cross Site Scripting vulnerability in ABO.CMS v.5.9.3 allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted payload to the Referer header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2025
The CVE-2023-46952 vulnerability represents a critical cross site scripting flaw within ABO.CMS version 5.9.3 that enables remote attackers to inject malicious code through manipulation of the Referer HTTP header. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross Site Scripting, specifically targeting the application's improper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The flaw exists because the CMS fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied data from the Referer header before processing or displaying it within the application context, creating an avenue for persistent malicious script execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious Referer header containing script code that gets executed in the context of other users browsing the affected CMS. This type of attack leverages the trust relationship between the web application and its users, allowing the attacker to inject malicious payloads that can capture session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that the Referer header is automatically included in HTTP requests, making it a readily available vector for exploitation without requiring complex user interaction.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script execution to encompass potential data breaches, session hijacking, and complete compromise of the CMS environment. Attackers can leverage this XSS flaw to steal administrator credentials, modify content, inject malicious advertisements, or establish persistent backdoors within the CMS infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire content management system, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive user data, configuration files, and administrative functions. Organizations relying on ABO.CMS v.5.9.3 face significant risk of unauthorized content modification and potential full system compromise.
Security mitigations for CVE-2023-46952 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected CMS version to the latest release containing the XSS protection fixes. Organizations must implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data, particularly headers like Referer, before processing or rendering them within the application context. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent script execution from untrusted sources. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious Referer header patterns and anomalous traffic behavior. Security teams should also conduct thorough penetration testing and code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application's codebase and ensure proper adherence to secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.