CVE-2017-20034 in PHPList
Summary
by MITRE • 06/10/2022
A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in PHPList 3.2.6. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the file /lists/admin/ of the component List Name. The manipulation leads to cross site scripting (Persistent). The attack can be initiated 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 resides within PHPList version 3.2.6, specifically within the /lists/admin/ directory where the List Name component is processed. The flaw represents a persistent cross site scripting vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the application's user interface through the list name parameter. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which classifies cross site scripting flaws as a critical security weakness where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages served to users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables persistent XSS attacks, meaning that malicious scripts can be stored on the server and executed whenever users view the affected list names, creating a long-term threat vector.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input for list names is not properly sanitized or escaped before being rendered in the web interface. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that exploit this weakness by submitting specially formatted list names containing script tags or other malicious code. When other users view these list names in the admin interface, the embedded scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. This persistent nature means that the attack vector remains active until the vulnerable version is patched, making it particularly dangerous for systems where multiple administrators or users interact with the list management interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges within the application context and potentially compromise the entire PHPList installation. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script injection techniques and T1566 for credential access through social engineering. The remote exploit capability means that attackers can initiate the attack without requiring physical access to the system or direct network connection to the application server. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on PHPList for email marketing campaigns, as compromised systems could lead to unauthorized access to mailing lists, user data exposure, and potential use for spam distribution.
The remediation strategy focuses on upgrading to PHPList version 3.3.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation and output encoding issues. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization measures, including proper HTML escaping of user-supplied data before rendering it in web interfaces. Security measures should also include regular vulnerability assessments, input validation testing, and monitoring for suspicious administrative activities. The fix in version 3.3.1 demonstrates the importance of maintaining current software versions and following security advisories from software vendors. Additional defensive measures include implementing content security policies, using web application firewalls, and conducting regular security training for administrators to recognize potential social engineering attempts that might exploit this vulnerability.