CVE-2017-14618 in phpMyFAQ
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in inc/PMF/Faq.php in phpMyFAQ through 2.9.8 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the Questions field in an "Add New FAQ" action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14618 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the phpMyFAQ content management system version 2.9.8 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the inc/PMF/Faq.php component, specifically targeting the Questions field during the "Add New FAQ" administrative action. The vulnerability exposes the application to remote code execution risks where malicious actors can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content directly into the FAQ management interface. This flaw fundamentally undermines the integrity of the application's input validation mechanisms, allowing attackers to bypass standard security controls designed to prevent malicious content injection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user input within the FAQ creation workflow. When administrators or authorized users submit new FAQ entries through the web interface, the system fails to properly validate or escape the content entered in the Questions field. This oversight creates a persistent XSS vector that can be exploited by remote attackers who craft malicious payloads designed to execute within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which classifies it as a Cross-Site Scripting attack, specifically targeting the failure to sanitize input data before its inclusion in web pages. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and data integrity protection, as it allows unauthorized manipulation of the application's user interface and potentially sensitive data.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-14618 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks within the ATT&CK framework's execution category. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access through malicious scripts that steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or execute malicious commands on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as the injected scripts can execute within the browser context of legitimate users. Additionally, this vulnerability contributes to potential data exfiltration scenarios where malicious scripts can harvest user credentials or sensitive information from the phpMyFAQ interface. The affected system becomes a potential staging ground for further attacks, as compromised users may inadvertently execute malicious code that could lead to privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14618 should prioritize immediate patching of the phpMyFAQ application to version 2.9.9 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for input validation. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures, including the use of HTML entity encoding for all user-supplied content and the implementation of Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit administrative privileges to the FAQ management system, reducing the potential impact of successful exploitation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other components of the application stack. The remediation process should also include user education regarding the dangers of clicking on suspicious links or executing unknown scripts, as social engineering remains a critical component in successful exploitation of XSS vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.