CVE-2018-17130 in PHPMyWind
Summary
by MITRE
PHPMyWind 5.5 has XSS in member.php via an HTTP Referer header,
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17130 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within PHPMyWind version 5.5 that specifically targets the member.php script through manipulation of the HTTP Referer header. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of client-side injection attacks where malicious scripts can be executed in the context of a victim's browser when they navigate to a compromised page. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation and output sanitization in web applications, creating an attack vector that leverages the trust relationship between web browsers and servers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the member.php script fails to properly sanitize or escape the HTTP Referer header before processing or displaying it within the web application's user interface. When a malicious actor crafts a specially formatted Referer header containing script tags or other malicious code, and this header is subsequently processed by the vulnerable application, the injected code becomes executable within the context of the victim's browser session. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because the Referer header is automatically sent by web browsers during navigation and is often used for tracking purposes, making it a commonly overlooked input vector for security testing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious sites. An attacker could craft a Referer header containing JavaScript that steals cookies or session tokens, potentially allowing them to impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to member accounts. The vulnerability also aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, demonstrating how inadequate input validation creates persistent security risks. Additionally, this vulnerability could be leveraged as part of broader attack chains within the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of "Command and Control" where attackers establish persistent access through compromised user sessions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output sanitization measures. The PHPMyWind application should implement strict sanitization of all HTTP headers, particularly the Referer header, before any processing occurs. This includes encoding special characters, implementing Content Security Policy headers, and ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped when rendered in HTML contexts. The most effective remediation involves updating to a patched version of PHPMyWind that addresses this specific vulnerability, as well as conducting comprehensive security reviews of all input handling mechanisms within the application. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious Referer header patterns, and establish regular security testing procedures including automated scanning and manual penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components.