CVE-2014-10003 in Uploader
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Maian Uploader 4.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the width parameter to (1) uploader/admin/js/load_flv.js.php or (2) uploader/js/load_flv.js.php.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-10003 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Maian Uploader version 4.0, specifically targeting the handling of user-supplied input within the width parameter of two distinct javascript files. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws according to the CWE database. The affected files load_flv.js.php are part of the administrative and user-facing javascript components of the uploader system, making this vulnerability exploitable through multiple attack vectors within the application's interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers manipulate the width parameter in the javascript file paths, allowing them to inject malicious scripts that execute within the context of other users' browsers. This type of injection typically occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize or encode user input before incorporating it into dynamically generated javascript code. The vulnerability specifically affects the javascript files that handle flash video loading functionality, where the width parameter is likely used to configure video player dimensions, but instead becomes a vector for code injection. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the browser context of authenticated users. This can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and potential privilege escalation within the application. The vulnerability affects both administrative and regular user interfaces, meaning that attackers could compromise not only user accounts but also administrative functions if they can gain access to privileged sessions. The attack surface is expanded due to the presence of the vulnerable javascript files in both the admin and public directories, potentially allowing attackers to escalate their privileges through session manipulation or by targeting users with elevated access rights.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user-supplied input, particularly parameters used in dynamic javascript generation, and ensuring that any data passed to javascript contexts is properly encoded to prevent script execution. The application should implement Content Security Policy headers to restrict script loading and execution, and all parameters should be validated against expected formats and ranges. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads targeting this specific vulnerability. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar flaws in future versions, following the principles outlined in the ATT&CK framework for web application security threats. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and proper input sanitization in preventing widespread XSS attacks that can compromise entire web applications.