CVE-2017-17985 in Muslim Matrimonial Script
Summary
by MITRE
PHP Scripts Mall Muslim Matrimonial Script has XSS via the admin/state_view.php cou_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17985 affects the PHP Scripts Mall Muslim Matrimonial Script, a web application designed for matrimonial services. This particular flaw represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability that exists within the administrative section of the platform, specifically in the state_view.php file. The vulnerability manifests when the cou_id parameter is processed without adequate input validation or output sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary script code into the application's response.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the category of reflected cross-site scripting as defined by CWE-79, which occurs when user-provided data is directly included in web page output without proper sanitization. The cou_id parameter in the admin/state_view.php endpoint serves as the attack vector, where an attacker can craft a malicious URL containing script code within this parameter. When the administrator accesses this crafted URL, the malicious script executes in the context of the administrator's browser session, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant given that it targets the administrative interface of the matrimonial platform. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive administrative functions, potentially leading to full system compromise. The attack requires minimal sophistication as it relies on the administrator clicking on a malicious link, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently access external links or where the application is used in corporate or institutional settings. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the system as it allows for unauthorized execution of code in the context of privileged users.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding practices. The primary defense mechanism involves sanitizing all user inputs, particularly those used in dynamic web page generation, through proper encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding or JavaScript encoding. Additionally, implementing a Content Security Policy (CSP) can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed. The application should also employ proper parameter validation to ensure that the cou_id parameter only accepts expected data types and ranges. Security patches should be applied immediately to update the vulnerable script to a version that properly handles input validation and sanitization. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads targeting this specific vulnerability. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes social engineering attacks that often leverage XSS vulnerabilities to compromise systems through user interaction. The remediation process should include thorough code review to identify similar patterns in other parameters and files within the application, as the same vulnerability class may exist elsewhere in the codebase. Regular security testing and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.