GDidees CMS 3. has been reported to be affected by a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability that enables potential attackers to execute arbitrary code on the user's browser via a crafted payload through the Page Title feature. In this long-read post, we'll delve into the exploitation details, provide a code snippet to help understand this vulnerability better, and share links to original references for further insights.

Exploit Details

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities occur when an attacker is able to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. In the GDidees CMS 3., the vulnerable point is the Page Title, which can be changed when creating or editing a page in the Content Management System (CMS).

By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker can inject a specially crafted payload into the Page Title, making it part of the rendered HTML and causing the user's browser to execute the attacker's script. Such scripts can be designed to steal user's authentication cookies, spread malware, redirect users to phishing websites, or perform any other actions that an attacker desires.

Code Snippet

To demonstrate this vulnerability, an attacker may use the following crafted payload in the Page Title field in the GDidees CMS 3.:

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

If successful, this simple payload will cause the user's browser to display a JavaScript alert with the word "XSS" when viewing the compromised page.

The vulnerability can also be exploited using more sophisticated payloads, such as a JavaScript code that steals the user's cookies or redirects the user to a malicious website.

Original References

1. CVE-2023-44758 - National Vulnerability Database (NVD): This link will lead you to the official CVE record for this vulnerability published by the NVD. It contains detailed information about the vulnerability, including its CVSS score, and technical description.

2. Exploit-DB: GDidees CMS 3. - Persistent Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): The Exploit-DB page provides the documented proof-of-concept for the exploitation of GDidees CMS 3.'s cross-site scripting vulnerability, CVE-2023-44758.

3. GDidees CMS Changelog: Keep an eye on the official GDidees CMS changelog page for any updates or patches related to this vulnerability.

4. OWASP: XSS (Cross-site Scripting) Prevention Cheat Sheet: The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) provides a comprehensive guide on protecting your web application against Cross-site Scripting vulnerabilities. Implementing the recommended prevention mechanisms can help you avoid similar attacks in the future.

Conclusion

CVE-2023-44758 highlights the importance of thorough security audits and the necessity of implementing proper input validation, output encoding, and other security mechanisms for web applications. As a developer or system administrator, it is crucial to stay informed on the latest security vulnerabilities and apply the necessary patches to keep your applications secure.

Timeline

Published on: 10/06/2023 11:15:11 UTC
Last modified on: 10/11/2023 17:19:53 UTC