CVE-2017-12655 in NexusPHP
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) exists in NexusPHP version v1.5 via the query parameter to log.php in a dailylog action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12655 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the NexusPHP v1.5 web application framework. This vulnerability specifically manifests in the log.php script when processing the query parameter associated with the dailylog action, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of affected user sessions.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the NexusPHP application's logging mechanism. When the application processes the query parameter in the dailylog action, it fails to properly escape or encode user-supplied data before rendering it in the web response. This omission allows attackers to inject malicious script payloads that can be executed by unsuspecting users who view the affected log entries. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and affects the web interface directly, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard web browser interactions without requiring special privileges or advanced exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking. Attackers can leverage this XSS flaw to perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to cookie theft, redirecting users to malicious websites, defacing web pages, or even establishing persistent backdoors within the application environment. The attack surface is broad as any user who accesses the affected log.php script with malicious input can become a vector for further compromise. This vulnerability particularly threatens organizations using NexusPHP for internal collaboration or logging systems where sensitive information might be stored in log entries.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12655 should prioritize immediate application patching and input validation improvements. Organizations must implement proper output encoding techniques for all dynamic content generated by the application, particularly when displaying user-supplied data in log entries. The solution aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities through proper input sanitization and output encoding practices. Security measures should include implementing Content Security Policy headers, employing proper parameter validation, and ensuring that all user inputs are escaped before being rendered in web pages. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security scanning to detect similar vulnerabilities in other components of their web infrastructure. The remediation process should follow ATT&CK technique T1566 which emphasizes the importance of validating and sanitizing inputs to prevent injection attacks, including XSS vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to ensure that similar flaws are not present in other parts of the application codebase, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical need for comprehensive security practices throughout the software development lifecycle.