CVE-2023-49117 in PowerCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 12/26/2023
PowerCMS (6 Series, 5 Series, and 4 Series) contains a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability. If this vulnerability is exploited, an arbitrary script may be executed on a logged-in user's web browser. Note that all versions of PowerCMS 3 Series and earlier which are unsupported (End-of-Life, EOL) are also affected by this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2024
PowerCMS versions 6 Series, 5 Series, and 4 Series contain a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a significant threat to web application security. This vulnerability exists within the application's input validation mechanisms and allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's database. The flaw specifically affects the handling of user-supplied content that is stored and subsequently rendered without proper sanitization, creating an environment where malicious code can be executed whenever affected content is displayed to users. The vulnerability impacts all currently supported versions of PowerCMS and extends to unsupported 3 Series and earlier versions, indicating a widespread exposure across the product lifecycle.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output encoding within the content management system's data processing pipeline. When users submit content through various application interfaces, the system fails to properly validate or escape special characters that could be interpreted as executable script code. This weakness enables attackers to store malicious payloads that are subsequently served to other users who access the affected content. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that once a malicious script is injected, it will persist and execute automatically whenever the compromised content is rendered in a user's browser, making it particularly dangerous for applications that handle user-generated content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to encompass potential data breaches, session hijacking, and full system compromise. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can execute arbitrary code within the context of a logged-in user's browser, potentially accessing sensitive information, modifying content, or even taking control of user sessions. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for advanced attacks such as credential theft, privilege escalation, or as a stepping stone for further exploitation within the network. This makes it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on PowerCMS for critical business operations or handle sensitive user data.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including comprehensive input validation, output encoding, and regular security updates to address this vulnerability. The recommended approach involves deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious content, implementing strict content sanitization policies, and conducting thorough code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing security headers such as Content Security Policy to limit script execution and reduce the impact of successful XSS attacks. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a common attack pattern categorized under ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through phishing. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the entire application ecosystem, ensuring comprehensive protection against evolving threat landscapes.