CVE-2017-17792 in BlogoText
Summary
by MITRE
Cross site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the markup_clean_href function in inc/conv.php in BlogoText through 3.7.6 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript via a comment.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2017-17792 represents a cross site scripting flaw within the BlogoText blogging platform version 3.7.6 and earlier. This issue resides in the markup_clean_href function located in the inc/conv.php file, which processes HTML markup and sanitizes hyperlinks. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through comment submissions, creating a persistent threat vector that can compromise user sessions and execute unauthorized actions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the markup_clean_href function. When users submit comments containing malicious payloads, the function fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as executable JavaScript code. This weakness allows attackers to embed script tags or other malicious constructs that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected comments. The vulnerability specifically targets the comment submission mechanism, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users can post content to public blogs.
The operational impact of this XSS vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. Attackers can exploit this flaw to steal cookies, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, or redirect victims to phishing pages designed to capture login credentials. The vulnerability affects all users who can submit comments to a BlogoText blog, potentially compromising the entire user base and undermining the platform's security posture. This type of vulnerability particularly threatens blogs with active comment systems and user-generated content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17792 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected BlogoText versions to the latest stable release that contains the fix. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization techniques including HTML entity encoding, strict content validation, and the use of secure coding practices that prevent JavaScript injection. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which classifies cross site scripting as a critical security weakness, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies, using web application firewalls, and conducting regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application stack.