CVE-2017-7248 in Gazelle
Summary
by MITRE
A Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) was discovered in Gazelle before 2017-03-19. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient filtration of user-supplied data (type) passed to the 'Gazelle-master/sections/better/transcode.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 • 11/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7248 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Gazelle media management system prior to version 2017-03-19. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's handling of user-supplied data. The specific attack vector occurs through the 'Gazelle-master/sections/better/transcode.php' endpoint where the application fails to properly filter or escape user-provided parameters, creating an avenue for malicious code injection.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into web page content without proper validation or encoding. The flaw exists in the application's data processing pipeline where input parameters are directly reflected in the output without appropriate sanitization measures. When an attacker submits malicious content through the transcode.php endpoint, the system processes this data without adequate protection mechanisms, allowing the injected script to execute in the context of other users' browsers who visit affected pages.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to the integrity and security of the Gazelle platform. An attacker could leverage this flaw to inject malicious scripts that could steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as the vulnerability enables persistent attacks that could compromise user accounts and potentially lead to broader system compromise. The vulnerability affects users who interact with the media transcoding functionality, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the platform hosts user-generated content.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The recommended approach includes sanitizing all user-supplied data before processing, implementing proper HTML escaping for dynamic content, and applying Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Additionally, the application should employ parameterized queries and input validation libraries to prevent malicious code from being executed. Security practitioners should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security scanning to detect similar vulnerabilities. The fix for this specific vulnerability required updating the Gazelle codebase to properly sanitize inputs in the transcode.php file, ensuring that all user-provided data undergoes appropriate validation before being processed or displayed. This remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.002 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically addressing the execution of malicious scripts through web-based attack vectors. Organizations using Gazelle should prioritize immediate patching and implement ongoing security monitoring to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of their media management infrastructure.