CVE-2017-17828 in Bus Booking Script
Summary
by MITRE
Bus Booking Script has XSS via the results.php datepicker parameter or the admin/new_master.php spemail parameter.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17828 affects the Bus Booking Script web application, which is a PHP-based system designed for managing bus reservations and related administrative functions. This particular flaw represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability that exists within the application's handling of user input parameters. The vulnerability specifically manifests in two distinct locations within the application's codebase, making it particularly concerning for attackers seeking to exploit the system. The affected parameters include the results.php datepicker parameter and the admin/new_master.php spemail parameter, both of which fail to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied data before incorporating it into web responses.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. When users interact with the booking system and provide input through the datepicker functionality or email address fields, the application processes this data without adequate sanitization measures. This allows an attacker to inject malicious javascript code that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected pages. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected cross-site scripting issue under CWE-79, which specifically addresses the improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary javascript code in victims' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with a means to establish persistent access to the application's administrative functions. When an attacker successfully injects malicious code through the spemail parameter in the admin/new_master.php file, they can potentially escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to the administrative interface. The datepicker parameter vulnerability allows for broader exploitation opportunities since date-related fields are often used in various application functionalities. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for scripting languages and T1566 for credential access through social engineering techniques. The vulnerability affects both frontend user interactions and backend administrative functions, creating a significant attack surface that could compromise the entire booking system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address the core issue of improper input validation and output encoding within the affected application components. The primary recommendation involves implementing comprehensive input sanitization routines that filter or escape special characters before processing user data, particularly in the identified parameter locations. The application should employ proper output encoding mechanisms that ensure any user-supplied data rendered in web pages cannot be interpreted as executable code. Additionally, developers should implement Content Security Policy headers to provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks. Regular security code reviews and automated vulnerability scanning should be integrated into the development lifecycle to prevent similar issues from emerging in future releases. Organizations using this application should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious input patterns to detect and block exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of input validation and output encoding practices as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and ISO 27001 security standards, which emphasize the need for robust application security controls to protect against common web-based attacks.