Description Preview
In RPCMS (Ralap PHP Content Management System) version 1.8 and below, there is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability. The "nickname" variable is not properly sanitized before being displayed on web pages. When API functions are enabled, an attacker can exploit this vulnerability by updating a user's nickname with malicious JavaScript code through the API. This results in a stored XSS attack where the injected code will execute in the browsers of users who view articles published by the compromised user account. This vulnerability could lead to cookie theft, session hijacking, or other client-side attacks against users of the RPCMS platform.
Overview
This vulnerability (CVE-2021-37392) is a stored cross-site scripting (CWE-79) issue in RPCMS, an open-source content management system. The root cause is improper input validation and output encoding of the "nickname" field. When an attacker submits malicious JavaScript code in the nickname field via the API, this code is stored in the database and later executed when other users view content associated with that nickname. The vulnerability affects all versions of RPCMS up to and including version 1.8. The impact of this vulnerability includes potential theft of sensitive information, session hijacking, and unauthorized actions performed in the context of the victim's browser.
Remediation
To address this vulnerability, system administrators should:
- Update to a newer version of RPCMS if available that patches this vulnerability.
- If updates are not available, implement proper input validation and output encoding for the "nickname" field:
- Sanitize user input by removing or encoding special characters
- Implement context-aware output encoding when displaying user-provided content
- Consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to mitigate the impact of XSS attacks.
- If API functions are not needed, disable them to reduce the attack surface.
- Regularly audit user accounts and content for potential XSS payloads.
References
- Exploit and Advisory Details: https://gist.github.com/victomteng1997/bfa1e0e07dd22f7e0b13256eda79626f
- RPCMS Project Repository: https://github.com/ralap-z/RPCMS/
- CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting'): https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/79.html
Industry ExposureMost to leastThis section illustrates the prevalence of a specific Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) across various industries based on customer reports. The ranking displays industries from the most to least affected by this particular vulnerability, offering valuable insight into where this CVE has been most frequently observed. This information can help organizations within these sectors prioritize their security efforts, understand their relative risk exposure compared to their peers, and focus remediation strategies where they are most needed. By understanding the industry-specific impact, organizations can make more informed decisions regarding patching, resource allocation, and overall risk management related to this CVE.
This section illustrates the prevalence of a specific Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) across various industries based on customer reports. The ranking displays industries from the most to least affected by this particular vulnerability, offering valuable insight into where this CVE has been most frequently observed. This information can help organizations within these sectors prioritize their security efforts, understand their relative risk exposure compared to their peers, and focus remediation strategies where they are most needed. By understanding the industry-specific impact, organizations can make more informed decisions regarding patching, resource allocation, and overall risk management related to this CVE.
- Accommodation & Food ServicesAccommodation & Food Services
- Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation ServicesAdministrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services
- Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & HuntingAgriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting
- Arts, Entertainment & RecreationArts, Entertainment & Recreation
- ConstructionConstruction
- Educational ServicesEducational Services
- Finance and InsuranceFinance and Insurance
- Health Care & Social AssistanceHealth Care & Social Assistance
- InformationInformation
- Management of Companies & EnterprisesManagement of Companies & Enterprises
- ManufacturingManufacturing
- MiningMining
- Other Services (except Public Administration)Other Services (except Public Administration)
- Professional, Scientific, & Technical ServicesProfessional, Scientific, & Technical Services
- Public AdministrationPublic Administration
- Real Estate Rental & LeasingReal Estate Rental & Leasing
- Retail TradeRetail Trade
- Transportation & WarehousingTransportation & Warehousing
- UtilitiesUtilities
- Wholesale TradeWholesale Trade
