CVE-2024-28679 in DedeCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 03/13/2024
DedeCMS v5.7 was discovered to contain a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability via Photo Collection.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2024-28679 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw identified in DedeCMS version 5.7, specifically within the Photo Collection functionality. This vulnerability resides in the web application's handling of user-supplied input during photo collection operations, creating an exploitable vector that allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the application's response. The flaw manifests when the system fails to properly sanitize or encode user-provided data before rendering it in web pages, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of other users' browsers. The affected Photo Collection module likely processes image metadata, file names, or descriptive text without adequate input validation, making it susceptible to XSS attacks that can persist across user sessions and potentially compromise the entire web application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows standard XSS attack patterns where malicious input is accepted through the photo collection interface and subsequently rendered without proper sanitization. Attackers can leverage this weakness by submitting crafted payloads containing malicious script code within photo metadata fields or collection parameters. When other users view the affected photo collection pages, their browsers execute the injected scripts, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a critical web application security weakness, specifically addressing the failure to properly escape output and the improper handling of user-controllable data. This flaw demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding controls that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-28679 extends beyond simple script execution, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges and access sensitive administrative functions within the DedeCMS system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to user accounts, modify content, or even escalate to administrative privileges if the photo collection functionality has elevated permissions. The persistent nature of stored XSS vulnerabilities means that malicious scripts can affect multiple users over time, making the impact more severe and harder to detect. This vulnerability particularly threatens content management systems like DedeCMS that handle user-generated content, as the photo collection feature often serves as a data entry point for users with varying privilege levels. The attack surface expands when considering that many CMS platforms store user metadata within image files, making photo collection features prime targets for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-28679 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening of the DedeCMS installation. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Photo Collection module, ensuring all user-supplied data is sanitized before processing or display. Organizations should apply the vendor's official security patch if available, as DedeCMS version 5.7 likely contains this vulnerability due to insufficient input sanitization in its photo handling components. Security measures should include implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, employing proper HTML escaping for all dynamic content, and conducting regular security audits of user input handling functions. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious input patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive security training for developers working with CMS platforms, emphasizing the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, particularly those related to input validation and output encoding. Organizations should also consider implementing automated security scanning tools to identify similar vulnerabilities across their web applications and maintain regular security updates to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.