CVE-2015-9478 in prettyPhoto
Summary
by MITRE
prettyPhoto before 3.1.6 has js/jquery.prettyPhoto.js XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2015-9478 represents a cross-site scripting flaw in the prettyPhoto lightbox plugin version 3.1.5 and earlier. This security issue affects web applications that utilize the prettyPhoto JavaScript library for displaying images and media content in modal windows. The vulnerability specifically resides in the js/jquery.prettyPhoto.js file where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in the browser context.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs when the plugin processes URL parameters or user-provided content without adequate input validation or output encoding. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious URLs containing script tags or other malicious payloads that get executed in the victim's browser when the prettyPhoto modal is triggered. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental web application security weakness that allows malicious code execution through web interfaces.
When exploited, this XSS vulnerability can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of web pages, or redirection to malicious sites. The operational impact extends beyond simple data theft as it can compromise user trust in the affected web application and potentially allow for more sophisticated attacks such as CSRF exploitation or privilege escalation within the application context. The vulnerability affects both authenticated and unauthenticated users who interact with web pages utilizing the vulnerable prettyPhoto plugin, making it particularly dangerous in public-facing applications.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to prettyPhoto version 3.1.6 or later to address this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms at the application level can provide defense-in-depth protection. Security measures should include content security policy headers, regular security scanning of web applications, and monitoring for suspicious user input patterns. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as it represents a common vector for delivering malicious payloads through web-based interfaces. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other instances of the prettyPhoto plugin across their infrastructure, as this vulnerability was present in widely deployed versions of the library. The remediation process should include not only updating the plugin but also reviewing the application's overall input handling mechanisms to prevent similar issues in other components.