CVE-2018-14541 in Basic B2B Script
Summary
by MITRE
PHP Scripts Mall Basic B2B Script 2.0.0 has Reflected and Stored XSS via the First name, Last name, Address 1, City, State, and Company name fields.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14541 affects PHP Scripts Mall Basic B2B Script version 2.0.0 and represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness that manifests through multiple input fields within the user registration and profile management functionality. This vulnerability enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications that are then executed in the context of other users' browsers, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this script for business-to-business operations.
The technical flaw resides in the insufficient sanitization and output encoding of user-supplied data entered into specific fields including First name, Last name, Address 1, City, State, and Company name. These fields are particularly vulnerable because the application fails to properly validate and escape input before rendering it back to users in web pages, creating opportunities for both reflected and stored cross-site scripting attacks. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities, and the attack pattern corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage web application vulnerabilities to execute malicious scripts in user browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it can enable attackers to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users. An attacker could craft malicious input containing JavaScript payloads that would be stored in the database and subsequently executed whenever other users view the affected profiles or pages. This stored XSS capability allows for persistent attacks that can compromise user sessions, steal sensitive business information, manipulate data, or redirect users to malicious websites. The vulnerability affects the entire user base of the B2B platform, making it particularly dangerous for organizations handling confidential business data and customer information.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user inputs using proper escaping techniques before rendering them in web pages, specifically implementing HTML entity encoding for output contexts. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities and employ web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. Additionally, regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The fix should include proper parameter validation, character set restrictions, and comprehensive output encoding for all dynamic content to prevent unauthorized script execution. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding practices in web application security, aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.