CVE-2017-14070 in NexusPHP
Summary
by MITRE
Cross Site Scripting (XSS) exists in NexusPHP 1.5.beta5.20120707 via the PATH_INFO to ipsearch.php, related to PHP_SELF.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14070 represents a cross site scripting flaw discovered in NexusPHP version 1.5.beta5.20120707, specifically within the ipsearch.php component. This issue arises from improper handling of user-supplied input through the PATH_INFO parameter, which is subsequently processed using the PHP_SELF variable. The vulnerability exposes the application to malicious script injection attacks where attackers can manipulate the PATH_INFO to inject arbitrary JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical root cause stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize or escape input data before incorporating it into dynamic web page content. When the application processes the PATH_INFO parameter through ipsearch.php, it directly incorporates the PHP_SELF variable without adequate validation or encoding measures. This creates an XSS vector where malicious actors can craft URLs containing script payloads that get executed when other users browse to affected pages. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it leverages the server-side PHP_SELF variable which contains the script name and path information, making it a prime target for injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. An attacker could potentially redirect users to malicious websites, steal cookies containing session information, or inject malware payloads that persist across user sessions. The vulnerability affects the entire NexusPHP application ecosystem since ipsearch.php serves as a search interface component that processes user input, making it a critical entry point for exploitation. This type of vulnerability can significantly compromise user privacy and application security, especially in environments where the application handles sensitive user data or provides administrative functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14070 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. Developers must ensure that all user-supplied input, particularly PATH_INFO parameters, undergo rigorous sanitization before being processed or displayed. The recommended approach involves implementing strict input validation that filters out potentially malicious characters and employing proper output encoding techniques when displaying dynamic content. Additionally, developers should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross Site Scripting flaws, and may be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1203 for Exploitation for Credential Access, particularly when the XSS leads to session hijacking or authentication bypass scenarios. Organizations should also implement regular security audits and input validation testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of their web applications, as this type of flaw commonly occurs in legacy systems that have not been properly updated with modern security practices.