In recent analysis, a new cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability has been discovered in the Search Settings module of WBCE CMS v1.5.4, which has been assigned the CVE identifier CVE-2022-45015. The XSS vulnerability exposes affected systems to potential attacks, allowing hackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code by injecting a carefully crafted payload into the "Results Footer" field. This article aims to provide details about the vulnerability, its impact, example code snippets, and original references to help developers mitigate the risk and secure their systems.

Vulnerability Details

In the WBCE CMS v1.5.4, the "Search Settings" module is vulnerable to a stored XSS attack because it does not correctly sanitize user inputs. As a result, an attacker can inject arbitrary JavaScript code (payload) into the "Results Footer" field, which gets executed when any user views the search results page. This may lead to various security risks, including stealing user sessions, defacing websites, and even injecting malware.

Affected Component

The affected component is the "Search Settings" module (mod_search_settings) in WBCE CMS v1.5.4. However, it is important to note that other components or versions might also be affected by similar vulnerabilities.

The following is an example of an injected payload that would exploit the vulnerability

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

Injecting this payload into the "Results Footer" field would display an alert with the message 'XSS' when a user views the search results page, executing the arbitrary JavaScript code.

However, a more sophisticated payload could be used to conduct malicious activities like stealing cookies or redirecting users to malicious websites.

Mitigation Steps

To mitigate this vulnerability, it is recommended to apply input validation and output encoding on the "Results Footer" field. Employ robust techniques, like filtering or escaping user input, to prevent the execution of malicious scripts. Additionally, ensure that the latest security patches and updates are applied to the WBCE CMS.

Keep the WBCE CMS up to date by installing the latest security patches and updates

4. Consider using Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the sources of scripts that can be executed on the site

Original References

Find below some important links related to the vulnerability and additional resources for securing WBCE CMS:

1. CVE Details: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2022-45015
2. WBCE CMS Official Website: https://wbce.org/
3. OWASP XSS Prevention Cheat Sheet: https://cheatsheetseries.owasp.org/cheatsheets/Cross_Site_Scripting_Prevention_Cheat_Sheet.html

Conclusion

The CVE-2022-45015 vulnerability identified in the Search Settings module of WBCE CMS v1.5.4 can pose a significant security risk if not addressed. Taking the necessary steps to mitigate this risk, like input validation and output encoding, will help secure your web applications from potential attacks. Furthermore, staying informed and regularly reviewing your security settings and policies is essential to keep your websites and applications safe.

Timeline

Published on: 11/21/2022 15:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 11/21/2022 20:27:00 UTC