CVE-2017-7205 in GamePanelX-V3
Summary
by MITRE
A Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) was discovered in GamePanelX-V3 3.0.12. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient filtration of user-supplied data (a) passed to the "GamePanelX-V3-master/ajax/ajax.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 • 11/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7205 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within GamePanelX-V3 version 3.0.12, a web-based game management platform that allows administrators to control various gaming services through a centralized interface. This vulnerability resides in the ajax.php endpoint which processes asynchronous requests from the web interface, making it a prime target for malicious exploitation. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content, creating an environment where malicious actors can inject harmful scripts into the application's response.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when user-provided parameters are directly incorporated into the output without proper HTML escaping or sanitization. Specifically, the vulnerability affects the "a" parameter in the ajax.php URL, which is processed by the application's backend without sufficient validation controls. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that, when executed, can run arbitrary JavaScript code within the browser context of legitimate users who access the vulnerable application. The flaw manifests as a reflected XSS vector since the malicious script is embedded in the request and immediately reflected back to the user's browser without being stored on the server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, deface the web interface, steal sensitive information from authenticated users, and potentially escalate privileges within the application. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to the GamePanelX system, compromise user sessions, and gain unauthorized control over game management functions. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can deliver malicious payloads through phishing emails, compromised links, or social engineering tactics that entice users to click on malicious URLs containing the crafted XSS payloads.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into web pages. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that GamePanelX systems often handle sensitive gaming data and administrative functions, making the potential damage from successful exploitation significant. Mitigation strategies must include implementing comprehensive input validation, output encoding, and the adoption of Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Web Application Firewalls and regular security code reviews to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their web applications. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in web application development, particularly when handling user-supplied data in dynamic content generation scenarios.