CVE-2017-6478 in MaNGOSWebV4
Summary
by MITRE
paintballrefjosh/MaNGOSWebV4 before 4.0.8 is vulnerable to a reflected XSS in install/index.php (step parameter).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6478 affects the paintballrefjosh/MaNGOSWebV4 web application version prior to 4.0.8, specifically targeting the install/index.php script where a reflected cross-site scripting flaw exists in the step parameter. This represents a critical security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially leading to unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims.
The technical flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize or encode user input received through the step parameter in the install/index.php file. When this parameter is processed without adequate validation, malicious payloads can be reflected back to users in the web response, executing in their browser context. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically classified as reflected XSS where the malicious script is reflected off the web server rather than being stored. The attack typically occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing the XSS payload and tricks a victim into clicking it, causing the script to execute in the victim's browser session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, perform unauthorized actions within the application, or redirect users to malicious websites. Given that this affects the installation process of the MaNGOSWebV4 application, attackers could potentially manipulate the installation flow or gain access to administrative functions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where administrative privileges are required for installation, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6478 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application. The recommended approach involves sanitizing all user inputs, particularly those used in dynamic content generation, and applying appropriate HTML encoding to prevent script execution in the browser context. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks. The most effective remediation is upgrading to version 4.0.8 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and parameter handling. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security scanning to detect similar vulnerabilities in their systems. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which covers Exploitation for Client Execution, highlighting the need for comprehensive application security measures to prevent such client-side exploitation vectors.