CVE-2017-7360 in Pixie
Summary
by MITRE
Pixie 1.0.4 allows an admin/index.php s=settings&x= XSS attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7360 affects Pixie version 1.0.4 and represents a cross-site scripting flaw that specifically targets the administrative interface of the application. This issue manifests when an attacker can manipulate the settings page through the URL parameter 'x' which is processed in the admin/index.php file. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the application's parameter handling mechanism, allowing malicious scripts to be injected and executed within the context of an authenticated administrator's browser session.
This particular XSS vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a critical web application security weakness. The flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the administrator's browser, potentially leading to complete compromise of the web application's administrative functions. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires only an administrator to visit a maliciously crafted URL, making it a server-side request forgery risk that can be exploited through social engineering or by compromising links within the application itself.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with the ability to perform actions that are typically restricted to legitimate administrators. An attacker could potentially modify application settings, extract sensitive configuration data, manipulate user accounts, or even escalate privileges within the application. The vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK framework as part of the T1059.007 technique for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1566.001 for "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment" when considering how attackers might leverage this flaw through malicious email campaigns targeting administrators.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7360 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. The most effective immediate fix involves sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters, particularly those used in URL routing and parameter processing. The application should implement proper HTML entity encoding when rendering user-controllable data in web pages, and all parameters should be validated against expected input formats before processing. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution even if the vulnerability persists in the application's core logic. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar issues from emerging in future releases of the application.