CVE-2017-5990 in PhreeBooksERP
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in PhreeBooksERP before 2017-02-13. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient filtration of user-supplied data in the "form" HTTP GET parameter passed to the "PhreeBooksERP-master/extensions/ShippingMethods/ups/label_mgr/js_include.php" and "PhreeBooksERP-master/extensions/ShippingMethods/yrc/label_mgr/js_include.php" URLs. An attacker could execute arbitrary HTML and script code in a browser in the context of the vulnerable website. NOTE: these js_include.php files do not exist in the SourceForge "stable release" (aka R37RC1).
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5990 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that emerged in PhreeBooksERP versions prior to the 2017-02-13 release. This security weakness specifically targets the handling of user-supplied data within the shipping methods extension of the enterprise resource planning system. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize input parameters, particularly the "form" HTTP GET parameter, which is processed by javascript include files within the shipping methods module. The affected files js_include.php within both ups and yrc shipping method directories demonstrate the insecure data handling practices that enable malicious actors to inject arbitrary code into the application's response. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-79 - Cross-site Scripting, which is classified as a critical security weakness in web applications where user input is not properly validated or escaped before being rendered in web pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it allows attackers to execute malicious code within the context of the vulnerable website. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing specially formatted data in the "form" parameter, the application processes this input without adequate filtering mechanisms, resulting in the execution of arbitrary HTML and script code in the victim's browser. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, redirect users to malicious sites, or even deface the application interface. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects core functionality modules related to shipping methods, which are essential components of any ERP system. The attack surface is expanded due to the fact that these files are part of the extension framework, meaning that legitimate users accessing the shipping methods functionality could inadvertently trigger the malicious code execution, making this a stealthy and potentially widespread threat.
The security implications of CVE-2017-5990 align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it enables attackers to leverage JavaScript execution capabilities within the victim's browser environment. The vulnerability's existence in the extension framework rather than core application code suggests a broader architectural issue with input validation practices throughout the system. Organizations using PhreeBooksERP were exposed to significant risk during the period when this vulnerability was present, as the attack could be executed through simple URL manipulation without requiring complex exploitation techniques. The fact that these specific js_include.php files do not exist in the official SourceForge stable release (R37RC1) indicates that this vulnerability was likely introduced through development or patch management processes, highlighting the importance of thorough code review and security testing during software development lifecycle phases. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical need for implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all user-facing parameters, particularly within extension modules that may not receive the same level of security scrutiny as core components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5990 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding practices throughout the application. Organizations should immediately update to PhreeBooksERP version 2017-02-13 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper parameter sanitization for all HTTP GET parameters, particularly those used in extension modules, will prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. Security measures should include input validation that rejects or escapes potentially malicious content, proper output encoding when rendering user-supplied data, and regular security assessments of extension modules. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining secure coding practices and conducting regular security audits, particularly in modular applications where third-party extensions may introduce additional attack vectors. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection against similar cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.