CVE-2017-17937 in Marketplace Digital Products PHP
Summary
by MITRE
Vanguard Marketplace Digital Products PHP has XSS via the phps_query parameter to /search.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17937 affects the Vanguard Marketplace Digital Products PHP platform, specifically exposing a cross-site scripting flaw through the phps_query parameter in the search functionality. This issue resides within the web application's input validation mechanisms, where user-supplied data fails to undergo proper sanitization before being processed and returned to other users. The vulnerability manifests when the application directly incorporates user input from the phps_query parameter into search results without adequate encoding or filtering, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary script code within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient output encoding and input validation practices within the application's search module. When a user submits a search query through the phps_query parameter, the system processes this input without proper sanitization measures that would normally convert special characters into their HTML-safe equivalents. This failure allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that exploit the application's trust in user-provided data, enabling them to inject javascript code that executes in the browser of unsuspecting victims who view the affected search results. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of improper input handling that violates fundamental security principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute persistent malicious code within user sessions. An attacker could potentially leverage this vulnerability to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information such as authentication cookies or personal data, redirect users to malicious websites, or even install malware through browser-based exploits. The persistent nature of XSS vulnerabilities means that once exploited, the malicious code can continue to affect users until the vulnerability is patched or the search results are cleared from the application's cache. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in marketplace environments where users frequently interact with search results and product listings, creating numerous potential attack vectors for various malicious activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's search functionality. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user input by implementing proper HTML encoding for any data that will be rendered in the browser context, particularly for parameters like phps_query that are directly incorporated into search results. Additionally, developers should implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. The application should also employ proper parameter validation techniques to reject or sanitize potentially malicious input patterns before processing. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments and implement automated input validation tools as part of their development lifecycle to prevent similar issues from arising in future releases, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting and T1566 for credential access through malicious links or payloads. Regular patch management and security monitoring are essential to ensure that this vulnerability does not persist in production environments, while also implementing proper web application firewall rules to detect and block malicious search queries containing known XSS patterns.