CVE-2017-7359 in Pixie
Summary
by MITRE
Pixie 1.0.4 allows an admin/index.php s=login&m= XSS attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7359 affects Pixie version 1.0.4 and represents a cross-site scripting flaw that specifically targets the administrative login interface of the application. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the admin/index.php script where the s=login&m= parameter is processed, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the application's response. The vulnerability is classified as a classic reflected cross-site scripting attack that occurs when user-supplied parameters are directly incorporated into the web page without proper sanitization or encoding.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious URL containing crafted JavaScript payloads that are then executed within the context of a victim's browser session when they access the vulnerable administrative login page. The flaw exists because the application fails to properly escape or validate user input before rendering it in the web response, allowing an attacker to inject malicious scripts that can execute in the victim's browser. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting conditions where untrusted data is used to construct web pages without proper validation or encoding. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it targets the administrative interface, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive system functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with the capability to hijack administrative sessions, steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of the authenticated administrator. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to the administrative interface, potentially leading to full system compromise. The attack requires minimal sophistication and can be executed through social engineering techniques such as sending malicious links via email or instant messaging to unsuspecting administrators. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers the use of scripting languages for execution, specifically targeting web-based interfaces where such attacks can be particularly effective due to the privileged nature of the targets.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase, particularly within the administrative interfaces. The most effective immediate fix involves sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters before they are rendered in web responses, implementing proper HTML encoding for dynamic content, and employing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Organizations should also implement regular security code reviews and vulnerability assessments to identify similar input validation flaws across their applications. Additionally, network-based solutions such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers, though they should not be relied upon as the sole defense mechanism. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the fix does not introduce new functionality issues while maintaining the application's intended behavior. Regular patch management and security updates should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future versions of the application.