CVE-2015-3257 in zend-diactoros
Summary
by MITRE
Zend/Diactoros/Uri::filterPath in zend-diactoros before 1.0.4 does not properly sanitize path input, which allows remote attackers to perform cross-site scripting (XSS) or open redirect attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3257 affects the Zend Framework component known as zend-diactoros, specifically within the Uri::filterPath method. This flaw exists in versions prior to 1.0.4 and represents a critical security weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute cross-site scripting attacks or manipulate open redirect scenarios. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization of path parameters within URI parsing operations, creating potential attack vectors that can compromise web application security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient validation and sanitization of path components when processing Uniform Resource Identifiers. The Uri::filterPath method fails to properly handle malicious input sequences that could contain script tags, javascript protocols, or other dangerous path characters. This improper sanitization allows attackers to inject malicious code into path parameters that are subsequently processed or displayed by applications using the affected library. The flaw specifically impacts how the library handles path data during URI construction and validation, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate the application's behavior through crafted input.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to web applications that rely on zend-diactoros for HTTP message handling and URI processing. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform XSS attacks by injecting malicious scripts into path parameters that are later rendered in web pages, potentially stealing session cookies, defacing websites, or redirecting users to malicious domains. The open redirect aspect of this vulnerability allows attackers to craft URLs that appear legitimate but redirect users to phishing sites or other malicious destinations, making it particularly dangerous for applications that use redirects or forward user requests to external resources.
The security implications extend beyond simple XSS execution to encompass broader application integrity concerns. When applications process user-supplied paths through the vulnerable filterPath method, they become susceptible to various attack vectors including session hijacking, data theft, and social engineering campaigns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and CWE-601, which addresses open redirect vulnerabilities. Additionally, this weakness can be leveraged as part of broader attack chains that map to ATT&CK techniques such as T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1566 for credential harvesting through phishing.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to zend-diactoros version 1.0.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to properly sanitize path input. Security teams should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation at multiple layers, content security policies to mitigate XSS impact, and monitoring for suspicious URI patterns. Regular security assessments of web applications using this library are essential to identify potential exploitation attempts and ensure comprehensive protection against similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack.