Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) in MODX Revolution

[High-Tech Bridge Security Research <advisory@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Advisory ID: HTB23229
Product: MODX Revolution
Vendor: MODX
Vulnerable Version(s): 2.3.1-pl and probably prior
Tested Version: 2.3.1-pl
Advisory Publication:  August 20, 2014  [without technical details]
Vendor Notification: August 20, 2014 
Vendor Patch: September 11, 2014 
Public Disclosure: September 17, 2014 
Vulnerability Type: Cross-Site Scripting [CWE-79]
CVE Reference: CVE-2014-5451
Risk Level: Low 
CVSSv2 Base Score: 2.6 (AV:N/AC:H/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N)
Solution Status: Fixed by Vendor
Discovered and Provided: High-Tech Bridge Security Research Lab ( 
https://www.htbridge.com/advisory/ ) 

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Advisory Details:

High-Tech Bridge Security Research Lab discovered vulnerability in MODX 
Revolution, which can be exploited to perform Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) 
attacks.


1) Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) in MODX Revolution: CVE-2014-5451

The vulnerability exists due to insufficient sanitization of input data passed 
via the "a" HTTP GET parameter to "/manager/" URL. A remote attacker can trick 
a logged-in administrator to open a specially crafted link and execute 
arbitrary HTML and script code in browser in context of the vulnerable website.
This vulnerability can be used against website administrator to perform 
phishing attacks, steal potentially sensitive data and gain complete control 
over web application.

The exploitation example below uses the "alert()" JavaScript function to 
display "immuniweb" word:

http://[host]/manager/?a=%22%20onload=%22javascript:alert%28/immuniweb/%29;%22%3E

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Solution:

Update "manager/templates/default/header.tpl" file from GitHub.

More Information:
https://github.com/modxcms/revolution/issues/11966
https://github.com/modxcms/revolution/commit/e36f80f18e9514204bf2ce82747c8adf7e47a9c9

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References:

[1] High-Tech Bridge Advisory HTB23229 - 
https://www.htbridge.com/advisory/HTB23229 - Reflected Cross-Site Scripting 
(XSS) in MODX Revolution.
[2] MODX Revolution - http://modx.com - MODX Revolution is the web content 
management platform for those that truly care about no-compromise design and 
exceptional user experience. It gives you complete control over your site and 
content, with the flexibility and scalability to adapt to your changing needs.
[3] Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) - http://cve.mitre.org/ - 
international in scope and free for public use, CVE® is a dictionary of 
publicly known information security vulnerabilities and exposures.
[4] Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) - http://cwe.mitre.org - targeted to 
developers and security practitioners, CWE is a formal list of software 
weakness types.
[5] ImmuniWeb® SaaS - https://www.htbridge.com/immuniweb/ - hybrid of manual 
web application penetration test and cutting-edge vulnerability scanner 
available online via a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this Advisory is provided "as is" and 
without any warranty of any kind. Details of this Advisory may be updated in 
order to provide as accurate information as possible. The latest version of the 
Advisory is available on web page [1] in the References.