CVE-2018-9328 in Redbus Clone Script
Summary
by MITRE
PHP Scripts Mall Redbus Clone Script 3.0.6 has XSS via the ter_from or tag parameter to results.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9328 affects the PHP Scripts Mall Redbus Clone Script version 3.0.6, which is a web application designed to replicate bus booking functionalities similar to the popular Redbus platform. This particular vulnerability manifests as a cross-site scripting flaw that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability specifically occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user input parameters, creating an avenue for malicious code execution within the context of the victim's browser session.
The technical flaw resides in the application's handling of the ter_from or tag parameters within the results.php file. When these parameters are submitted through user input without adequate validation or output encoding, the application directly incorporates them into the HTML response without proper sanitization. This creates a classic XSS vulnerability where an attacker can embed malicious JavaScript code within these parameters, which then executes in the browsers of users who view the affected page. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security where user-provided data is not properly escaped or validated before being rendered in web pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers to perform various malicious activities through the compromised web application. An attacker could inject scripts that steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, deface the web application, or even execute arbitrary commands on the victim's browser. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a malicious link or page that contains the crafted parameters. This vulnerability could enable attackers to hijack user sessions, access sensitive information, or manipulate the application's functionality to serve malicious purposes. The exposure affects all users who interact with the results.php page, making it a widespread concern for the application's user base.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-provided input parameters before they are processed or displayed in web pages. This includes implementing proper HTML entity encoding for any data that is rendered in the browser context, particularly for parameters like ter_from and tag. The application should also employ a whitelist-based input validation approach where only known safe characters and formats are accepted. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Organizations should also consider implementing proper security testing practices including automated scanning and manual penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript and demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten Project's A03:2021 - Injection category. The remediation efforts should be prioritized as a high-severity issue given the potential for session hijacking and data theft that could result from successful exploitation of this XSS vulnerability.