CVE-2014-10035 in couponPHP
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the admin area in couponPHP before 1.2.0 allow remote administrators to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) sEcho parameter to comments_paginate.php or (2) stores_paginate.php or the (3) affiliate_url, (4) description, (5) domain, (6) seo[description], (7) seo[heading], (8) seo[title], (9) seo[keywords], (10) setting[logo], (11) setting[perpage], or (12) setting[sitename] to admin/index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-10035 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the administrative interface of couponPHP version 1.2.0 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the admin area of the application, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated administrator sessions. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before rendering it in web responses.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability spans multiple endpoints within the couponPHP administration interface, with the most significant attack vectors occurring through the sEcho parameter in comments_paginate.php and stores_paginate.php scripts. These parameters are typically used for server-side processing in datatables implementations and are particularly susceptible to XSS when not properly sanitized. Additionally, the vulnerability extends to the admin/index.php endpoint where multiple input fields including affiliate_url, description, domain, and various SEO-related parameters are vulnerable to injection attacks. The vulnerability also affects setting parameters such as logo, perpage, and sitename, which are commonly used for configuration management within the application.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe security risk for couponPHP installations as it allows remote attackers with administrator privileges to execute malicious code within the context of the admin session. The implications extend beyond simple script injection, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions within the application, modify or delete data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's scope is particularly concerning because it affects core administrative functionality where attackers could manipulate critical application settings, alter content, or compromise the entire system. This type of vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness that occurs when an application incorporates untrusted data into web pages without proper validation or escaping.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is broad and encompasses multiple user-facing administrative inputs that are processed server-side and subsequently rendered in web responses. The fact that multiple parameters across different endpoints are vulnerable suggests a systemic lack of input validation throughout the application's administrative interface. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to perform actions such as redirecting administrators to malicious sites, stealing administrative credentials, or modifying critical application settings. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would likely fall under the T1059.007 technique for 'Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell' or more broadly under 'TA0001 - Initial Access' and 'TA0002 - Execution' phases, depending on the specific attack vector employed.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's administrative interface. The most effective approach involves implementing strict sanitization of all user-supplied input data, particularly before rendering it in web responses. This includes implementing proper HTML entity encoding for all dynamic content, implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent script execution, and ensuring that all parameters passed to server-side scripts are properly validated against expected input formats. Organizations should also consider implementing regular security audits of administrative interfaces, enforcing strict access controls, and applying the principle of least privilege to administrative accounts. The application should be updated to version 1.2.0 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and sanitization measures.