CVE-2024-36775 in Monstra
Summary
by MITRE • 06/07/2024
A cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Monstra CMS v3.0.4 allows attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML via a crafted payload injected into the About Me parameter in the Edit Profile page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2025
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within Monstra CMS version 3.0.4 where an attacker can inject malicious scripts through the About Me parameter field on the Edit Profile page. The flaw represents a classic stored XSS attack vector that enables persistent malicious code execution across user sessions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the CMS's profile editing functionality, allowing unfiltered user-supplied content to be rendered directly into web pages without proper HTML escaping or context-aware encoding. This weakness falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 focusing on manipulation of web applications to execute malicious code. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates through a legitimate user profile editing interface, making it difficult to detect and exploit through normal user interactions.
The technical exploitation occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing script tags or other HTML elements within the About Me field and submits it through the profile editing form. When other users view the compromised profile page, the malicious code executes in their browser context, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting to malicious sites, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of the victims. The persistence of this vulnerability means that the injected code remains active until manually removed from the database, creating a long-term threat vector. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can be leveraged for session hijacking, credential theft, and further lateral movement within the application environment. Attackers can also combine this vulnerability with other techniques to escalate privileges or gain deeper access to the underlying system infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations using Monstra CMS v3.0.4 as it creates an entry point for attackers to compromise user sessions and potentially gain administrative control over the content management system. Users who view affected profile pages become victims of the XSS attack, with their browsers executing malicious code that can monitor their interactions or redirect them to phishing sites. The vulnerability affects the integrity of user data and the trustworthiness of the CMS application, as legitimate users may unknowingly encounter malicious content. Organizations may face reputational damage, regulatory compliance issues, and potential data breaches if attackers exploit this vulnerability to access sensitive user information or perform unauthorized modifications to the website content.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the CMS application. The primary fix involves sanitizing all user-supplied input in the About Me parameter field using proper HTML escaping techniques and context-aware encoding before rendering content. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. Additionally, updating to the latest version of Monstra CMS where this vulnerability has been patched is essential. Security awareness training for administrators and users can help identify suspicious profile modifications, while implementing web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers against XSS attacks. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and output encoding as fundamental security controls that should be implemented across all web applications to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components or third-party libraries.