CVE-2018-20632 in Advance B2B Script
Summary
by MITRE
PHP Scripts Mall Advance B2B Script 2.1.4 has stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) via the FIRST NAME or LAST NAME field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-20632 affects PHP Scripts Mall Advance B2B Script version 2.1.4 and represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that can be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts within the context of affected user sessions. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a fundamental web application security weakness that has been consistently documented across numerous security frameworks and standards. The vulnerability manifests when user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being stored and subsequently rendered back to other users within the application interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the FIRST NAME or LAST NAME fields within the B2B script's user registration or profile management functionality. When an attacker submits malicious script code through these fields, the application fails to adequately sanitize the input, allowing the malicious payload to be permanently stored in the database. This stored content is then executed whenever other users view the affected profile information, creating a persistent XSS attack vector. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to secure web application development, as the application does not properly escape or filter user-supplied data before it is rendered in HTML contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, manipulate data, or redirect users to malicious websites. Attackers can leverage this stored XSS to perform session hijacking by stealing cookies, inject malicious content that modifies the application's functionality, or create phishing pages that appear legitimate to unsuspecting users. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that the attack remains active until the malicious content is removed from the database, potentially affecting multiple users over extended periods. This vulnerability particularly impacts business-to-business applications where user trust and data integrity are paramount, as it can compromise the entire user base that interacts with the affected system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user input through proper HTML entity encoding before storing or rendering the data, ensuring that any potentially malicious script content is neutralized. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in the application code. Organizations should also consider implementing proper input length limitations, character set restrictions, and comprehensive logging of user inputs to detect and prevent malicious activity. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which describes the use of web shells and stored cross-site scripting to maintain persistent access to target systems, making this a critical remediation priority for maintaining application security and user trust.