CVE-2018-6902 in Image Sharing Script
Summary
by MITRE
PHP Scripts Mall Image Sharing Script 1.3.3 has XSS via the Full Name field in an Edit Profile action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6902 affects PHP Scripts Mall Image Sharing Script version 1.3.3, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that specifically targets the Full Name field during profile editing operations. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of web application security weaknesses that can enable attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser session. The issue manifests when users interact with the Edit Profile functionality, where the application fails to properly sanitize or encode user input before rendering it back to the browser.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's profile management module. When a user enters data into the Full Name field and subsequently saves their profile changes, the application processes this input without adequate sanitization measures. This allows malicious actors to inject JavaScript code or other malicious payloads that will execute whenever the profile information is displayed to other users or even to the victim themselves. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected cross-site scripting issue according to CWE-79, which specifically addresses the improper handling of user-supplied data in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it can potentially lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. Attackers can craft malicious inputs that exploit the vulnerability to steal session cookies or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of user data within the application, particularly when users with elevated privileges are targeted. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1059.007 for script injection techniques and T1531 for credential access through session manipulation. The exploitation potential is significant as it requires minimal user interaction beyond navigating to the affected profile page.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6902 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data flow. The most effective remediation involves sanitizing all user inputs using proper encoding functions such as htmlspecialchars() in PHP, implementing Content Security Policy headers, and ensuring that all dynamic content is properly escaped before rendering. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns. Regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding practices and maintaining up-to-date security measures to protect against persistent threats in web applications.