CVE-2018-9857 in Match Clone Script
Summary
by MITRE
PHP Scripts Mall Match Clone Script 1.0.4 has XSS via the search field to searchbyid.php (aka the "View Search By Id" screen).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9857 affects PHP Scripts Mall Match Clone Script version 1.0.4, specifically targeting the search functionality within the searchbyid.php component. This issue represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability manifests when users interact with the "View Search By Id" screen, where input validation is insufficient to prevent malicious code execution.
The technical flaw resides in the improper sanitization of user input within the search field parameter. When users submit search queries through the searchbyid.php interface, the application fails to adequately filter or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This lack of input validation creates an opening for attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The weakness demonstrates poor output encoding practices where user-supplied data flows directly into web page responses without appropriate sanitization measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling sophisticated attack vectors such as session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. An attacker could craft malicious search queries that, when processed by the vulnerable application, would execute scripts in victims' browsers to steal session cookies or redirect users to phishing sites. The threat is particularly concerning in environments where users may have elevated privileges or access to sensitive data, as the malicious scripts could be designed to escalate privileges or access restricted resources. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering through malicious content injection.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The recommended approach includes sanitizing all user input through proper escaping techniques before rendering any content in web responses, particularly when dealing with dynamic data from search parameters. Implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. The fix should involve modifying the searchbyid.php script to properly escape or filter all input parameters, ensuring that any special characters are treated as literal text rather than executable code. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security audits to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components of their web infrastructure.