CVE-2018-5689 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Dotclear 2.12.1 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the email field in the admin/auth.php file.

Understanding CVE-2018-5689

This CVE entry describes a specific XSS vulnerability in Dotclear 2.12.1 that can be exploited by authenticated users remotely.

What is CVE-2018-5689?

The vulnerability in Dotclear 2.12.1, particularly in the admin/auth.php file, enables authenticated users from remote locations to inject arbitrary web script or HTML using their email in a malicious manner.

The Impact of CVE-2018-5689

This vulnerability allows attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of the user's session, potentially leading to various security risks such as data theft, unauthorized actions, and account compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-5689

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The XSS vulnerability in Dotclear 2.12.1's admin/auth.php file allows remote authenticated users to insert malicious web scripts or HTML code through the email input.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Dotclear
Version: 2.12.1
Status: Affected

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a specially designed email that contains malicious scripts or HTML code, which, when processed by the application, gets executed within the user's session.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-5689 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Dotclear promptly.
Educate users about the risks of clicking on suspicious links or emails.
Monitor and filter user inputs to detect and block malicious scripts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities.
Implement a web application firewall to filter and block malicious traffic.
Stay informed about security updates and best practices in web application security.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates and patches released by Dotclear to address the XSS vulnerability and other potential security issues.