CVE-2014-100017 in PhpOnlineChat
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in canned_opr.php in PhpOnlineChat 3.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the message field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-100017 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the PhpOnlineChat 3.0 application, specifically affecting the canned_opr.php component. This weakness resides in the application's handling of user input within the message field parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates a classic XSS attack vector that can be exploited to compromise user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the canned_opr.php script. When users submit messages through the chat interface, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the input data before storing or rendering it within the web page context. This inadequate data handling allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute in the browsers of other users who view the compromised content. The flaw specifically targets the message field parameter, which serves as the primary injection point for malicious scripts. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which describes "Cross-site Scripting (XSS)" as a fundamental weakness in web application security where untrusted data is improperly handled and executed within the browser context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, creating a significant risk to user privacy and application integrity. Attackers can leverage this flaw to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface the chat interface, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur without requiring local access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that serve multiple users. This vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including phishing campaigns, social engineering, or automated scanning tools that identify vulnerable web applications. The attack surface is broad as it affects any user who interacts with the chat functionality, potentially compromising all users within the same session or application context.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement proper sanitization of all user-supplied input data before processing or storing it within the application. The solution involves escaping special characters and implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability falls under the T1059.007 technique category for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" where attackers leverage browser-based scripting to compromise systems. Security measures should include regular security audits, input validation libraries, and comprehensive testing of web applications for XSS vulnerabilities. The most effective remediation involves implementing proper HTML escaping and output encoding for all dynamic content, ensuring that user-supplied data cannot be interpreted as executable code within the browser context. Additionally, developers should adopt secure coding practices that emphasize the principle of least privilege and proper data validation at all input points to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions of the application.