CVE-2019-8435 in PHPMyWind
Summary
by MITRE
admin/default.php in PHPMyWind v5.5 has XSS via an HTTP Host header.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8435 affects PHPMyWind version 5.5 where the admin/default.php script fails to properly sanitize HTTP Host header input, creating a cross-site scripting vulnerability that can be exploited by remote attackers. This issue resides in the administrative interface of the content management system, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on this platform for database management and web content administration.
The technical flaw stems from improper input validation within the Host header processing mechanism. When the application receives an HTTP request containing a Host header, it directly incorporates this header value into the page response without adequate sanitization or encoding. This allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code through the Host header, which then executes in the context of other users' browsers when they access the affected administrative page. The vulnerability is classified as a classic reflected cross-site scripting flaw where the malicious payload is reflected back to the user through the application's response.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with the ability to execute malicious scripts in the browser of authenticated administrators, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to steal administrative sessions, modify database content, access sensitive information, or perform unauthorized administrative actions. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting the affected page, and the Host header can be manipulated through various means including DNS rebinding attacks or by exploiting misconfigured proxy servers.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as one of the most prevalent web application security issues. The specific implementation flaw represents a failure in input validation and output encoding practices that should be addressed according to secure coding guidelines. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script injection and T1566 for social engineering through malicious web content delivery, potentially enabling further lateral movement within compromised networks.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the PHPMyWind application to version 5.6 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding for all HTTP headers, particularly the Host header, ensuring that any user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being incorporated into web responses. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense in depth, while security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual Host header values in HTTP requests. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on input validation practices will help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the application stack.