CVE-2018-6361 in Easy Hosting Control Panel
Summary
by MITRE
Easy Hosting Control Panel (EHCP) v0.37.12.b has XSS via the op parameter, as demonstrated by adding a backdoor FTP account.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2023
The Easy Hosting Control Panel EHCP version 0.37.12.b contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that arises from improper input validation and output encoding within the application's parameter handling mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically affects the op parameter which is used to control various operational functions within the control panel interface. The flaw allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts into the application's response by manipulating this parameter, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited across multiple user sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamic web content. When the op parameter is processed, the system does not adequately escape or encode special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This lack of input validation creates an environment where malicious actors can inject script payloads that execute within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it occurs during the creation of FTP accounts, suggesting that the attack vector could be leveraged to establish persistent backdoor access to the hosting environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, and potentially escalate privileges within the hosting control panel. The demonstration of adding a backdoor FTP account highlights the severity of the flaw, as successful exploitation could allow unauthorized individuals to gain persistent access to the hosting infrastructure. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of the hosting environment, potentially compromising multiple customer accounts and enabling further attacks against the underlying infrastructure.
This vulnerability maps to CWE-79 Cross-site Scripting in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, specifically representing a failure to sanitize user input before incorporating it into web page content. From an adversarial perspective, this flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as attackers can leverage the XSS to execute malicious JavaScript code within victim browsers. The vulnerability also corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, where attackers could use the XSS to deliver malicious payloads through compromised control panel interfaces. Organizations should implement proper input validation, output encoding, and Content Security Policy headers to prevent such vulnerabilities from being exploited in production environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase, particularly for all parameters that are reflected in web responses. The system should employ strict sanitization of user inputs before processing or displaying them in web contexts, utilizing established libraries and frameworks designed to prevent XSS attacks. Regular security code reviews and automated vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other parameters and functions within the EHCP application. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring for suspicious account creation activities can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to provide an additional layer of protection against script injection attacks, while ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are properly escaped when rendered in HTML contexts to prevent malicious code execution.