CVE-2018-11118 : Security Advisory and Response

A cross-site scripting vulnerability exists in the RSS subsystem of ILIAS versions 5.1.x, 5.2.x, and 5.3.x prior to 5.3.5. This vulnerability occurs when a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) is passed to the class.ilExternalFeedItem.php within the Services/Feeds/classes directory.

Understanding CVE-2018-11118

This CVE-2018-11118 involves a cross-site scripting vulnerability in ILIAS versions 5.1.x, 5.2.x, and 5.3.x before 5.3.5.

What is CVE-2018-11118?

The vulnerability allows for cross-site scripting attacks when a URI is passed to a specific file within the ILIAS system.

The Impact of CVE-2018-11118

This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of an ILIAS user's session, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-11118

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The RSS subsystem in ILIAS versions 5.1.x, 5.2.x, and 5.3.x before 5.3.5 is susceptible to cross-site scripting attacks via a URI passed to class.ilExternalFeedItem.php.

Affected Systems and Versions

ILIAS versions 5.1.x, 5.2.x, and 5.3.x before 5.3.5

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts into the URI parameter, leading to script execution in the user's browser.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-11118 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update ILIAS to version 5.3.5 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Educate users about the risks of clicking on suspicious links or URLs.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit web applications for vulnerabilities.
Implement input validation mechanisms to sanitize user inputs and prevent script injections.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by ILIAS promptly to address known vulnerabilities.