CVE-2016-15022 in cimage
Summary
by MITRE • 01/29/2023
A vulnerability was found in mosbth cimage up to 0.7.18. It has been declared as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file check_system.php. The manipulation of the argument $_SERVER['SERVER_SOFTWARE'] leads to cross site scripting. The attack can be launched remotely. Upgrading to version 0.7.19 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is 401478c8393989836beeddfeac5ce44570af162b. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-219715.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-15022 affects the mosbth cimage library version 0.7.18 and earlier, representing a cross-site scripting vulnerability that emerges from improper input validation within the check_system.php file. This flaw specifically targets the $_SERVER['SERVER_SOFTWARE'] argument, which when manipulated by an attacker can lead to unauthorized execution of malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser. The vulnerability exists within the server software information handling mechanism, where the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-controllable input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. This represents a classic XSS vulnerability pattern that allows attackers to inject malicious code into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through remote attack vectors, meaning that an attacker does not require physical access to the target system or local network privileges to carry out the attack. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities where untrusted data is improperly embedded into web pages without proper validation or escaping mechanisms. The vulnerability's remote exploitability stems from the fact that the affected parameter $_SERVER['SERVER_SOFTWARE'] can be influenced through HTTP request headers, making it accessible to external attackers who can craft malicious requests to inject script code. This attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers scripting languages used for execution, particularly in web application contexts where user input is directly processed without adequate sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can potentially enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface web applications, steal sensitive cookies, or redirect users to malicious sites. The affected component's failure to properly validate server software information creates a persistent security gap that could be leveraged in various attack scenarios including credential theft or data exfiltration. Organizations using affected versions of mosbth cimage face significant risk of unauthorized access and data compromise, particularly in environments where the library is used for system monitoring or diagnostic functions. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack vector means that protection measures must account for external network traffic and implement proper input sanitization at all entry points.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-15022 focus primarily on upgrading to version 0.7.19, which includes the patch identified by commit hash 401478c8393989836beeddfeac5ce44570af162b. This upgrade addresses the root cause by implementing proper input validation and sanitization for the $_SERVER['SERVER_SOFTWARE'] parameter before its inclusion in web output. Security administrators should also implement additional defensive measures including web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious input patterns, input validation at multiple layers within the application architecture, and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities and reduce the potential impact of successful XSS attacks. The vulnerability's resolution through version upgrade demonstrates the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing robust patch management processes to protect against known security flaws.