CVE-2022-45037: A Deep Dive into Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Vulnerability in WBCE CMS v1.5.4

CVE-2022-45037 is a recently discovered cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability that affects WBCE CMS v1.5.4. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability in order to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML in the context of a victim's browser by injecting a crafted payload into the Display Name field of the /admin/users/index.php page. In this long-read post, we'll analyze the vulnerability in detail, understand the possible consequences, and discuss the steps to mitigate the risk associated with this security flaw.

Vulnerability Details

The XSS vulnerability exists in the Display Name field of the /admin/users/index.php page in WBCE CMS v1.5.4. A successful exploitation allows an attacker to inject malicious code, which will be executed in the context of the victim's browser when they interact with the vulnerable page.

Here's some example code that demonstrates a crafted payload injection

<script>alert('XSS');</script>

When an attacker injects this script into the Display Name field, the crafted payload will execute on the victim's browser when they visit the /admin/users/index.php page, displaying a JavaScript alert with the message "XSS".

This vulnerability was originally reported in the following sources

1. NVD - CVE-2022-45037
2. GitHub - WBCE/WBCE_CMS
3. WBCE CMS Security Advisory

Registers a new user account or compromises an existing account.

2. Navigates to the /admin/users/index.php page, and modifies the Display Name field to inject the crafted payload.
3. Waits for a victim (administrator or another user with access to the vulnerable page) to visit the /admin/users/index.php page, causing the malicious code execution.

Steal session cookies or other sensitive information stored in the victim's browser.

2. Redirect the user to a malicious website, potentially facilitating phishing attacks, malware infections, or further exploitation.
3. Deface the web application, by modifying the displayed content in the context of the victim's browser.
4. Perform actions on behalf of the victim, leveraging their privileges in the affected application (e.g., change user permissions, delete user accounts, etc.).

Mitigation Steps

To mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2022-45037, administrators of WBCE CMS v1.5.4 should take the following actions:

1. Update to the latest version of WBCE CMS, if available. The WBCE team may release a security patch to address this issue.

2. Ensure proper input validation and output encoding techniques are implemented throughout the application, preventing the injection of malicious data.

3. Enable appropriate security headers, such as Content-Security-Policy, to limit the possibility of executing unauthorized inline scripts or externally hosted malicious resources.

4. Regularly monitor application logs and user activities to detect any abnormal behavior, and respond to potential security incidents promptly.

5. Educate users about the dangers of XSS attacks, and encourage them to follow best practices such as avoiding clicking on suspicious links, updating their web browsers, and using security extensions to filter malicious content.

Conclusion

CVE-2022-45037 highlights the importance of thorough security checks within web applications, as well as the potential consequences if vulnerabilities are left unaddressed. By understanding this vulnerability and taking the necessary mitigation steps, administrators of WBCE CMS v1.5.4 can help ensure their web applications remain secure and resilient against cyber threats.

Timeline

Published on: 11/25/2022 16:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 11/28/2022 21:07:00 UTC