CVE-2018-16453 in Domain Lookup Script
Summary
by MITRE
PHP Scripts Mall Domain Lookup Script 3.0.5 allows XSS in the search bar.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16453 affects PHP Scripts Mall Domain Lookup Script version 3.0.5, presenting a cross-site scripting vulnerability that specifically impacts the search bar functionality. This issue represents a critical security flaw that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the domain lookup script's search functionality, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors seeking to manipulate web application behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when user input submitted through the search bar is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users or processed by the application. This weakness allows attackers to inject malicious javascript code or other harmful payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The flaw directly maps to CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a vulnerability where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or escaping mechanisms. The attack vector specifically targets the input handling process where domain names or search queries are processed and displayed, creating opportunities for persistent or reflected XSS attacks depending on how the application handles and stores the data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, redirect users to malicious websites, or even execute unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. In the context of a domain lookup script, this vulnerability could allow attackers to capture domain registration details, user credentials, or other sensitive data that users might enter during the lookup process. The threat landscape for such vulnerabilities aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531, which covers "Run-time Application Blocker", where attackers leverage XSS to manipulate application behavior and access restricted functionalities. The compromised script could serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within the application ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-16453 should prioritize immediate input validation and output encoding implementation to prevent malicious code injection. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user inputs through proper escaping mechanisms before rendering them in web pages, implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution, and utilizing secure coding practices that prevent direct insertion of user data into HTML contexts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, while regular security audits and penetration testing can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack. The remediation process should follow established secure coding guidelines such as those outlined in OWASP Top Ten and ensure that all user-supplied data undergoes proper validation and sanitization before any processing or display operations occur.