CVE-2018-7652 in Web GUI
Summary
by MITRE
lib/Zonemaster/GUI/Dancer/Export.pm in Zonemaster Web GUI before 1.0.11 has XSS.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7652 resides within the Zonemaster Web GUI component, specifically in the lib/Zonemaster/GUI/Dancer/Export.pm module. This issue affects versions prior to 1.0.11 of the Zonemaster Web GUI system, which is a web-based interface for the Zonemaster DNS testing framework. The vulnerability manifests as a cross-site scripting flaw that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially compromising the security of the web interface and the data it handles.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the export functionality of the Zonemaster Web GUI. When users interact with the export features, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web responses. This omission creates an opening for malicious actors to inject HTML or JavaScript code through carefully crafted input parameters that are then executed in the browsers of other users who view the affected content. The vulnerability specifically impacts the export module which handles data export operations, making it particularly dangerous as it could affect users who are exporting test results or configuration data.
The operational impact of this XSS vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities within the context of the affected web application. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, modify content displayed to other users, or even perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. Given that Zonemaster Web GUI is designed for network administrators and security professionals to test DNS configurations, the compromise of this interface could provide attackers with access to sensitive testing data and potentially enable further attacks against the underlying DNS infrastructure being tested.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the affected module. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied data before rendering it in web responses, particularly in export functionality where data formatting and presentation are critical. The fix requires updating the Zonemaster Web GUI to version 1.0.11 or later, which includes the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should implement content security policies and ensure proper input validation at multiple layers of the application to prevent similar issues. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a common weakness in web applications that can be exploited through the ATT&CK framework's initial access and execution phases, particularly through malicious web content delivery and script injection techniques.