CVE-2017-6488 in epesi
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) issues were discovered in EPESI 1.8.1.1. The vulnerabilities exist due to insufficient filtration of user-supplied data (visible, tab, cid) passed to the EPESI-master/modules/Utils/RecordBrowser/Filters/save_filters.php URL. An attacker could execute arbitrary HTML and script code in a browser in the context of the vulnerable website.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6488 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in EPESI version 1.8.1.1, specifically within the record browser filter functionality. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly process user-supplied data, creating an exploitable vector for malicious code execution. The vulnerability manifests in the save_filters.php endpoint located at EPESI-master/modules/Utils/RecordBrowser/Filters/, where parameters including visible, tab, and cid are directly incorporated into the application's response without proper sanitization measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts through carefully crafted input values passed to the vulnerable parameters. When the application processes these unfiltered inputs and subsequently renders them within the web page context, the injected JavaScript code executes in the victim's browser with the privileges of the targeted user. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications, where improper validation of user-supplied data leads to unauthorized code execution. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it operates within the legitimate context of the vulnerable website, making detection more difficult for security monitoring systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains the ability to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially access sensitive user data or perform unauthorized actions within the application's context. The exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may interact with the application through various browsers and devices. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 which covers command and scripting interpreter, specifically focusing on the execution of malicious scripts through web-based interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6488 should prioritize immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective approach involves implementing strict sanitization of all user-supplied inputs before they are processed or rendered within the application context. This includes applying proper HTML encoding to all dynamic content and implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, while ensuring regular security updates and patches are deployed to address known vulnerabilities. The fix should be implemented in accordance with secure coding practices that prevent XSS vulnerabilities by design, including the use of parameterized queries and proper input validation frameworks.