CVE-2014-9562 in OptimalSite
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in display_dialog.php in M2 OptimalSite 0.1 and 2.4 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the image parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2024
The CVE-2014-9562 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the M2 OptimalSite web application version 0.1 and 2.4. This vulnerability exists within the display_dialog.php component which processes user input through the image parameter, creating an exploitable vector for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of a victim's browser session. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored or reflected XSS attack vector depending on how the malicious input is processed and stored within the application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject malicious payloads through the image parameter in the display_dialog.php script. When a user submits crafted input containing HTML or JavaScript code through this parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize the data before displaying it to other users. This creates a persistent or reflected XSS condition where the malicious code executes in the victim's browser context with the privileges of the targeted user. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages a common web application parameter that is often used for image display functionality, making it difficult to distinguish between legitimate and malicious input. Attackers can exploit this weakness to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9562 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling sophisticated attack chains that can compromise entire user sessions and access sensitive data. An attacker could craft payloads that steal authentication tokens, access user profiles, or manipulate application functionality through the victim's browser context. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the target system or network, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing applications. This type of vulnerability can also serve as a stepping stone for more advanced attacks, allowing threat actors to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within the application environment. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script injection techniques and T1531 for credential access through session hijacking.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9562 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing or displaying it within the application. This includes applying context-specific escaping for HTML, JavaScript, and URL parameters to prevent malicious code execution. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. Additionally, implementing proper parameter validation and using secure coding practices that follow OWASP Top Ten guidelines can prevent similar issues from occurring in future development cycles. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in preventing XSS attacks and demonstrates how seemingly benign functionality can become a significant security risk when proper sanitization measures are absent.