CVE-2017-20033 in PHPList
Summary
by MITRE • 06/10/2022
A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in PHPList 3.2.6. This affects an unknown part of the file /lists/admin/. The manipulation of the argument page with the input send\'\";>alert(8) leads to cross site scripting (Reflected). It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. Upgrading to version 3.3.1 is able to address this issue. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2022
This vulnerability represents a cross site scripting flaw in PHPList version 3.2.6 that resides within the administrative interface at the path /lists/admin/. The specific weakness occurs when processing user input through the page parameter, where malicious payloads can be injected that exploit reflected XSS mechanisms. The vulnerability is classified as remotely exploitable, meaning attackers can initiate attacks without requiring local access or authentication to the system. The payload demonstrated in the CVE description utilizes the sequence send\'\";>alert(8) which demonstrates how an attacker could inject javascript code that would execute in the victim's browser when the malicious page parameter is processed. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross site scripting flaws in web applications. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it operates through reflected XSS where the malicious script is reflected off the web server back to the user agent, making it difficult to detect and trace.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, manipulate data within the application, or redirect users to malicious websites. In the context of PHPList's administrative interface, successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to email campaign management features, potentially leading to spam distribution or data exfiltration. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers could leverage this flaw through web-based attack vectors without needing physical access to the system. The attack scenario typically involves sending a specially crafted URL containing the malicious payload to a victim who then clicks on it while authenticated to the PHPList administration interface. This creates a persistent threat that could be amplified through social engineering campaigns targeting administrators.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to PHPList version 3.3.1 which contains the necessary patches to address this reflected XSS vulnerability. This upgrade approach follows standard security best practices for vulnerability remediation where the vendor provides a fixed version that eliminates the security flaw. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures such as input validation and output encoding to further reduce the risk of XSS exploitation. The solution aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers scripting languages including javascript, and T1566 which addresses social engineering techniques that could be used to deliver the malicious payloads. Beyond the immediate upgrade, system administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls, content security policies, and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other parts of the application stack. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding in web applications, particularly in administrative interfaces where elevated privileges are involved.