CVE-2015-8375 in php-fusion
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in PHP-Fusion 9.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2022
The CVE-2015-8375 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in PHP-Fusion 9, a widely used content management system that powers numerous websites and web applications. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the CMS framework, specifically affecting how the system processes user-supplied data in various interactive components. The flaw exists at the application layer where user-generated content is not properly escaped or filtered before being rendered back to users, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of PHP-Fusion 9's user interface elements and content management features, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when the application fails to adequately sanitize user input in parameters that are subsequently reflected in HTML output without proper encoding or escaping. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that contain script tags or other malicious code within input fields, form submissions, or URL parameters that are processed by PHP-Fusion 9's rendering engine. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly encode or escape user-controllable data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. This flaw can be categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it enables attackers to execute malicious JavaScript code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be performed through standard web browser interactions, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8375 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables sophisticated attack vectors including session hijacking, credential theft, and the delivery of malware through browser-based attacks. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code within the browser context of authenticated users, potentially leading to complete compromise of user accounts and unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions. The vulnerability affects not only individual user sessions but also the broader security posture of organizations relying on PHP-Fusion 9, as compromised user accounts can be leveraged to escalate privileges and gain access to additional system resources. Organizations may experience reputational damage, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses due to data breaches or service disruptions caused by this vulnerability. The impact is particularly severe given that PHP-Fusion 9 was commonly used for government websites, educational institutions, and corporate portals where sensitive information is regularly processed and stored.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-8375 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from the vendor, as PHP-Fusion 9 received security updates addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures, including the adoption of proper output encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding for all user-controllable data before rendering. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts even if the primary vulnerability is not fully patched. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of PHP-Fusion 9 installations within their environments and ensure proper access controls are implemented to limit the scope of potential exploitation. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be enhanced to detect suspicious user behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls specifically configured to detect and block XSS attack patterns targeting this vulnerability class. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing of patched environments to ensure that the security fixes do not introduce regressions in application functionality while maintaining the integrity of user data and system operations.