CVE-2017-6809 in MaNGOSWebV4
Summary
by MITRE
paintballrefjosh/MaNGOSWebV4 4.0.8 is vulnerable to a reflected XSS in inc/admin/template_files/admin.donate.php (id parameter).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6809 affects the paintballrefjosh/MaNGOSWebV4 version 4.0.8 web application, specifically within the administrative template file admin.donate.php. This issue represents a classic reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability that occurs when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being returned to the browser. The vulnerability is triggered through the 'id' parameter, which is processed without adequate validation or encoding mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical flaw stems from improper input validation and output encoding practices within the web application's administrative interface. When the application receives the 'id' parameter through HTTP requests, it directly incorporates this value into the HTML response without implementing appropriate sanitization measures. This creates an environment where an attacker can craft malicious payloads that, when executed, can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or executing unauthorized commands on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications.
The operational impact of this reflected XSS vulnerability is significant for administrators and users who interact with the MaNGOSWebV4 administrative panel. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to hijack administrator sessions, gain elevated privileges, or manipulate the administrative interface to modify donation configurations or other critical system parameters. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the attack payload must be delivered through external means such as email phishing campaigns or compromised websites, as the malicious script is reflected back to the user's browser from the vulnerable application. This makes the attack vector particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently click on links from external sources or where the application is accessible from untrusted networks.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability. The primary remediation involves sanitizing all user inputs through proper encoding and validation mechanisms before incorporating them into web responses. The application should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities and prevent unauthorized code injection. Additionally, input validation should be enforced at multiple levels including parameter validation, output encoding, and proper session management. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which focuses on Exploitation for Credential Access, as reflected XSS can lead to session hijacking and privilege escalation. The remediation efforts should follow industry best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for web application security, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly handled to prevent malicious code execution in the context of legitimate users.