CVE-2017-7249 in Gazelle
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) were discovered in Gazelle before 2017-03-19. The vulnerabilities exist due to insufficient filtration of user-supplied data (action, userid) passed to the 'Gazelle-master/sections/tools/data/ocelot_info.php' URL. An attacker could execute arbitrary HTML and script code in a browser in the context of the vulnerable website.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7249 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Gazelle application framework prior to version 2017-03-19. This weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing. The vulnerability specifically affects the ocelot_info.php script located within the Gazelle-master/sections/tools/data/ directory, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to exploit web application security gaps. The flaw manifests when the application receives parameters through the action and userid variables, which are directly incorporated into the application's output without proper encoding or filtering measures.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where a web application fails to properly validate or encode user input before including it in dynamically generated content. The attack vector operates through the manipulation of HTTP parameters that are processed by the ocelot_info.php endpoint, allowing an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content. When legitimate users visit pages that contain the maliciously injected code, their browsers execute the embedded scripts in the context of the vulnerable website, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the application's functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code injection, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for various malicious activities within the targeted web environment. Attackers can craft payloads that exploit the XSS flaw to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or even modify the application's behavior to serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability's presence in a tools section of the application suggests that it could potentially be exploited to gain unauthorized access to administrative functions or sensitive data processing capabilities, depending on the application's architecture and user permissions. This type of vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers scripting languages including JavaScript, and represents a common entry point for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within web applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7249 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied data before processing, particularly parameters passed to the ocelot_info.php endpoint and similar scripts. Organizations should implement proper HTML entity encoding for all dynamic content and utilize Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts. Additionally, the application should employ parameterized queries and input validation frameworks to prevent malformed data from being processed. The remediation process requires immediate patching of the affected version to 2017-03-19 or later, along with comprehensive code review to identify and address similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application's codebase. Security teams should also implement automated scanning tools to detect similar XSS vulnerabilities in other applications and ensure that proper security testing is conducted during development cycles to prevent such issues from occurring in future releases.