Microweber Cross-Site Scripting Scanner

Microweber is an open-source content management system (CMS) designed primarily for developing websites and online stores. It is used by web developers, businesses, and individuals seeking to create custom websites with ease. With features such as drag-and-drop functionality, it enables users to build sophisticated web pages without needing extensive coding expertise. Primarily popular with small to medium-sized businesses, Microweber empowers users to manage content and commerce on a single platform. The software supports plugins to further extend functionality, making it a versatile choice for diverse web development needs. As it is often used in dynamic and interactive web applications, ensuring security against common vulnerabilities is essential.

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) is a vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. It typically exploits flaws in a web application's inputs not properly validated or sanitized, thereby enabling the execution of arbitrary scripts. Attackers can use XSS vulnerabilities to steal cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information belonging to users. Furthermore, it can facilitate phishing attacks by redirecting users to malicious sites or manipulating the content shown on webpages. Reflective XSS, specifically, involves the injection of scripts that are immediately reflected back to the victim without persistent storage. This vulnerability is critical in applications dealing with sensitive data or requiring high levels of user trust.

The vulnerability in Microweber lies within the "/editor_tools/module" endpoint, particularly affecting the file type management functionality. Parameters related to "filetype=images" lack proper input validation, making it susceptible to reflected XSS attacks. Attackers can craft URLs with embedded scripts leading unsuspecting users to execute the malicious code in their browsers. The critical parameter lacks constraints, allowing the injection of scripts like "<script>alert(document.domain)</script>", which unauthorized users can exploit. This vulnerability affects only versions prior to 1.2.11 where the input handler does not escape user inputs correctly. It is crucial for developers to sanitize inputs using secure coding practices to mitigate these risks.

If exploited, this vulnerability can have severe implications for affected users and systems. Malicious actors can execute unauthorized scripts in users' browsers, potentially leading to information theft or unauthorized actions being performed on behalf of users. The victim's privacy may be compromised, allowing attackers to collect sensitive data such as session identifiers or authentication tokens. This can also erode user trust, especially if client-side code performs unexpected or harmful actions. Organizations may face reputational damage as users learn of possible exploitation on their platform, affecting customer retention and acquisition. Therefore, mitigating this vulnerability is critical to maintaining user confidence and safeguarding data confidentiality and integrity.

REFERENCES

• https://github.com/microweber/microweber/issues/809
• https://github.com/microweber/microweber