CVE-2015-1052 in PHPKIT
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the poll archive in PHPKIT 1.6.6 (Build 160014) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the result parameter to upload_files/pk/include.php.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1052 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within PHPKIT version 1.6.6, specifically affecting the poll archive functionality. This issue resides in the upload_files/pk/include.php script where the result parameter fails to properly sanitize user input, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability manifests when attackers manipulate the result parameter to inject malicious payloads that get executed whenever legitimate users view the poll archive.
This XSS vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification of CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. The weakness occurs due to insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the PHPKIT application's poll handling component. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious URLs containing script tags or other HTML elements within the result parameter, which then gets rendered without proper sanitization in the poll archive display. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows for persistent XSS attacks when the injected scripts are stored and subsequently executed against multiple users.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1052 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user data, redirect victims to malicious websites, or even execute browser-based attacks that leverage the victim's authenticated session. The vulnerability affects any user who accesses the poll archive functionality, making it a widespread concern for PHPKIT installations. Given that the flaw exists in a core application component that handles user-generated content, the potential for exploitation increases significantly, particularly in environments where users can submit poll results or participate in voting activities.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user-provided input through proper HTML escaping before rendering content in the poll archive. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Additionally, the PHPKIT application should be updated to a patched version that addresses the specific input handling flaw in the upload_files/pk/include.php script. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in web applications, particularly focusing on areas that process user input and generate dynamic content. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566.001 for Phishing, as attackers can leverage this flaw to deliver malicious payloads through compromised web interfaces.