CVE-2002-2278 in Portailphp
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in mod_search/index.php in PortailPHP 0.99 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) $App_Theme, (2) $Rub_Search, (3) $Rub_News, (4) $Rub_File, (5) $Rub_Liens, or (6) $Rub_Faq variables.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2019
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the mod_search/index.php component of PortailPHP version 0.99, representing a classic persistent XSS flaw that enables remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content into the application's response. The vulnerability specifically affects six distinct variables within the application's search functionality, namely $App_Theme, $Rub_Search, $Rub_News, $Rub_File, $Rub_Liens, and $Rub_Faq, which are all susceptible to unauthorized input injection. The flaw occurs when user-supplied data from these variables is directly incorporated into the page output without proper sanitization or encoding, creating an environment where malicious code can be executed in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which defines the improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically targeting the failure to sanitize user-controllable data before it is rendered in web pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can enable attackers to execute arbitrary code in victims' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that exploit these six vulnerable variables to inject scripts that persist in the application's search functionality, meaning that any user who views the affected search results will be vulnerable to the injected malicious code. The vulnerability's persistence stems from the fact that the application does not properly validate or sanitize input from these specific variables before rendering them in the output, creating a vector for attackers to establish a foothold in the application's user base. This flaw particularly affects web applications that rely on user input for dynamic content generation and demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in preventing XSS attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues. The most direct solution involves implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding for all user-controllable variables, particularly the six identified in the vulnerability description, ensuring that any data entering the application is validated against expected formats and that all output is properly encoded before rendering. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts and consider implementing input validation libraries that can automatically sanitize user input. The remediation process should also include comprehensive code reviews to identify other potential injection points and the implementation of secure coding practices that align with OWASP Top Ten recommendations for preventing XSS vulnerabilities. Additionally, regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. This vulnerability highlights the necessity of following secure coding principles and demonstrates how seemingly minor input handling flaws can create significant security risks in web applications, particularly those that process user-generated content. The attack surface created by this vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including phishing campaigns, where attackers craft malicious search queries that, when viewed by other users, execute the injected scripts in their browsers, potentially compromising their sessions or systems.