CVE-2017-15728 in phpMyFAQ
Summary
by MITRE
In phpMyFAQ before 2.9.9, there is Stored Cross-site Scripting (XSS) via metaDescription or metaKeywords.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15728 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw in phpMyFAQ versions prior to 2.9.9, specifically affecting the metaDescription and metaKeywords input fields. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting and represents a significant security risk for web applications that rely on phpMyFAQ for database management and content presentation. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with sufficient privileges to inject malicious JavaScript code into these metadata fields, which then executes whenever the affected pages are rendered to users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper sanitization of user input within the phpMyFAQ administrative interface. When administrators or authorized users enter content into the metaDescription or metaKeywords fields, the application fails to adequately validate or escape special characters and script tags. This omission enables attackers to embed malicious JavaScript payloads that persist in the database and execute in the context of other users' browsers. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious code remains active until manually removed from the database, creating a persistent threat vector that can affect multiple users over time.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-15728 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. Attackers can craft payloads that steal cookies, capture user input, or redirect victims to phishing pages that appear legitimate. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where phpMyFAQ serves as a central administrative interface, as compromised systems can provide attackers with elevated privileges and access to sensitive database information. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 for Account Access Removal and T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as attackers can manipulate the application to perform unauthorized actions.
Organizations utilizing vulnerable versions of phpMyFAQ face significant risks including data breaches, unauthorized access to database contents, and potential compromise of entire web applications. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be automated, making it attractive to threat actors. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack surface assessment, particularly when evaluating web application security controls. The flaw demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in web applications, as recommended by OWASP Top Ten and the Open Web Application Security Project's secure coding practices. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching to version 2.9.9 or later, implement proper input sanitization measures, and conduct comprehensive security testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of the official phpMyFAQ 2.9.9 security patch, which addresses the input validation gaps in the metaDescription and metaKeywords fields. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls with XSS detection capabilities, establishing robust input validation routines, and conducting regular security audits can help prevent similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and reduce the impact of successful XSS attacks. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against multiple attack vectors simultaneously.