CVE-2003-0318 in PHP-Nuke
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Statistics module for PHP-Nuke 6.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to insert arbitrary web script via the year parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0318 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Statistics module of PHP-Nuke version 6.0 and earlier systems. This security weakness resides in the improper handling of user-supplied input through the year parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts into web applications. The vulnerability specifically affects the statistics reporting functionality where the application fails to adequately sanitize or validate input data before rendering it within web pages, allowing attackers to execute malicious code in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the PHP-Nuke statistics module. When users interact with the statistics functionality and provide a year parameter, the application processes this input without proper sanitization measures. This lack of input filtering creates a direct pathway for attackers to embed malicious scripts such as javascript code that gets executed when other users view the affected statistics page. The vulnerability operates under the CWE-79 principle of Cross-Site Scripting, where the application fails to properly escape or validate user-controllable data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious websites. When exploited, the XSS vulnerability allows unauthorized individuals to inject scripts that can capture user session cookies, redirect victims to phishing sites, or modify the content displayed to users. This capability significantly undermines user trust and can lead to broader security compromises within the PHP-Nuke environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects core administrative and reporting functionalities, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive statistical data or compromise the integrity of the entire application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0318 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the PHP-Nuke application. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied parameters including the year parameter in statistics modules are properly sanitized before processing. The implementation of proper HTML entity encoding for all dynamic content generation helps prevent script execution in browser contexts. Additionally, developers should adopt a defense-in-depth approach by implementing Content Security Policy headers, input validation libraries, and regular security code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting web scripting execution paths that enable persistent malicious code delivery within web applications. Regular application updates and patch management are essential to address such vulnerabilities that have been identified and documented in security advisories since the initial disclosure of this flaw in 2003.