CVE-2018-12588 : Security Advisory and Response

A cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Public Knowledge Project (PKP) Open Monograph Press (OMP) versions 1.2.0 through 3.1.1-2 allows remote attackers to inject unauthorized web scripts or HTML.

Understanding CVE-2018-12588

This CVE involves a security issue in the template file searchResults.tpl in PKP OMP versions.

What is CVE-2018-12588?

The vulnerability enables remote attackers to inject unauthorized web scripts or HTML by exploiting the catalog.noTitlesSearch parameter.

The Impact of CVE-2018-12588

The vulnerability allows for the injection of unauthorized web scripts or HTML, potentially leading to various attacks such as data theft, session hijacking, or defacement.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-12588

This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The XSS vulnerability in PKP OMP v1.2.0 through 3.1.1-2 before 3.1.1-3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the catalog.noTitlesSearch parameter.

Affected Systems and Versions

Public Knowledge Project (PKP) Open Monograph Press (OMP) versions 1.2.0 through 3.1.1-2

Exploitation Mechanism

Remote attackers exploit the catalog.noTitlesSearch parameter to inject unauthorized web scripts or HTML.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from this vulnerability is crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update PKP OMP to version 3.1.1-3 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement input validation mechanisms to sanitize user inputs and prevent script injection.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit web applications for security vulnerabilities.
Educate developers on secure coding practices to prevent XSS vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Public Knowledge Project (PKP) for OMP.