CVE-2015-8349 in SourceBans
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in SourceBans before 2.0 pre-alpha allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the advSearch parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2019
The CVE-2015-8349 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in SourceBans versions prior to 2.0 pre-alpha, exposing web applications to persistent malicious code injection attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the advSearch parameter within the index.php file, creating an exploitable entry point that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML content within the context of affected user sessions. The flaw fundamentally compromises the integrity of web application security by allowing malicious actors to bypass standard input validation mechanisms and inject malicious payloads directly into the application's response handling process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization and validation of user-supplied input within the advanced search functionality of SourceBans. When the advSearch parameter is processed without proper encoding or filtering, the application fails to distinguish between legitimate user input and malicious script code. This weakness creates a direct pathway for attackers to embed javascript payloads, html tags, or other malicious content that gets executed in the victim's browser context. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates how insufficient input validation can lead to complete session hijacking and data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8349 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with persistent access to compromised systems and user data. When successfully exploited, this vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate the application's behavior, potentially gaining unauthorized access to administrative functions or accessing sensitive user information stored within the SourceBans system. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous for server administrators. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering through malicious content injection, and can be leveraged to establish persistent access through session manipulation or credential theft.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-8349 require immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding measures. Organizations should implement proper parameter sanitization techniques, including the use of context-specific encoding for all user-supplied data before processing or displaying it within web pages. The recommended approach involves applying strict input validation to the advSearch parameter, employing HTML entity encoding for all dynamic content, and implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution. Additionally, upgrading to SourceBans version 2.0 pre-alpha or later resolves the vulnerability entirely, as these versions include comprehensive input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious parameter values, while establishing regular security auditing processes to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of input validation and output encoding in preventing web-based attacks, particularly in applications handling user-generated content or search functionality.