CVE-2018-15182 in Car Rental Script
Summary
by MITRE
PHP Scripts Mall Car Rental Script 2.0.8 has XSS via the FirstName and LastName fields.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15182 affects the PHP Scripts Mall Car Rental Script version 2.0.8, representing a classic cross-site scripting flaw that exposes user input fields to malicious code execution. This vulnerability specifically targets the FirstName and LastName input fields within the car rental reservation system, creating an entry point for attackers to inject malicious scripts that can persist and execute in the context of other users' browsers. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the web application's user registration and reservation processes, where user-supplied data is directly rendered without proper security filtering.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a critical weakness in web applications where untrusted data is improperly handled during web page generation. Attackers can exploit this flaw by submitting malicious payloads through the FirstName or LastName fields during car rental reservations, potentially including javascript code, iframe tags, or other malicious script constructs. When other users view the affected pages containing these stored inputs, the malicious scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that compromise user privacy and system integrity. An attacker could craft payloads that steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even inject malware delivery mechanisms. The persistent nature of stored XSS vulnerabilities means that the malicious scripts remain active until manually removed from the database, potentially affecting numerous users over extended periods. This type of vulnerability particularly impacts web applications that handle sensitive user information, as the car rental script likely collects personal data including names, contact information, and potentially payment details, creating multiple attack vectors for data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-15182 should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms as recommended by OWASP security practices. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user inputs through proper escaping techniques before rendering them in web pages, specifically employing context-appropriate encoding such as HTML entity encoding for web page content. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution, while regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The fix should also include updating the application to a newer version that addresses this specific vulnerability, as the vendor likely released patches or updates to resolve the XSS flaw. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious input patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web application security, particularly for fields that directly influence web page content generation. The attack surface is widened by the inclusion of user data in the application's display logic, where the lack of proper sanitization creates opportunities for attackers to leverage legitimate application functionality against its users. The persistence of stored XSS vulnerabilities requires continuous monitoring and remediation efforts, as these flaws can remain undetected for extended periods and potentially compromise large numbers of users. The incident underscores the necessity of adhering to secure coding practices throughout the software development lifecycle, including input validation, output encoding, and regular security assessments to prevent exploitation of similar weaknesses in web applications.