CVE-2010-4836 in PHPShop
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in register.html in PHPShop 2.1 EE and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the name_new parameter.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2025
The CVE-2010-4836 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that existed within PHPShop 2.1 EE and earlier versions, specifically targeting the register.html page. This vulnerability falls under the category of input validation failures that have long been recognized as critical security weaknesses in web applications. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input submitted through the name_new parameter, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content directly into the registration form. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited by attackers who are not authenticated to the system, making them accessible to anyone who can access the registration page.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient output encoding and input validation mechanisms within the PHPShop application's registration module. When users submit registration data through the name_new parameter, the application does not adequately filter or encode special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This lack of proper sanitization creates an opening for attackers to craft malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS attack since the malicious script is reflected back to users through the application's response, making it particularly effective for phishing attacks, session hijacking, and data theft.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to both end users and the organization running the PHPShop platform. Attackers could exploit this flaw to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or inject malware into the browsing environment of unsuspecting users. The attack surface is broad since registration pages are typically accessible to anyone with internet access, meaning that the vulnerability could be exploited by anyone with basic internet connectivity. This makes it particularly attractive to automated attack scripts that scan for common web application vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also undermines user trust in the platform, potentially leading to reputational damage and loss of customer confidence in the e-commerce capabilities of the affected system.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with several established frameworks including CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in software applications. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1566 for initial access through malicious web content and T1213 for data from information repositories. The vulnerability demonstrates how inadequate input validation can create persistent security weaknesses that remain exploitable for extended periods, particularly in legacy systems that may not receive regular security updates. Organizations running affected versions of PHPShop should prioritize immediate remediation through proper input sanitization, output encoding, and application-level security hardening measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4836 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user input through proper escaping techniques before rendering any content, particularly when displaying data in HTML contexts. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution, while also ensuring that the PHPShop application is updated to a supported version that addresses this vulnerability. Regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Additionally, implementing proper web application firewall rules and monitoring for suspicious input patterns can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against various attack vectors simultaneously.