CVE-2020-10447 in PHPKB Standard Multi-Language
Summary
by MITRE
The way URIs are handled in admin/header.php in Chadha PHPKB Standard Multi-Language 9 allows Reflected XSS (injecting arbitrary web script or HTML) in admin/report-failed-login.php by adding a question mark (?) followed by the payload.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-10447 resides within the Chadha PHPKB Standard Multi-Language version 9 application, specifically in the admin/header.php file where URI handling mechanisms fail to properly sanitize input parameters. This weakness creates a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability that can be exploited by attackers who manipulate URL parameters to inject malicious scripts into the application's administrative interface. The vulnerability manifests when users navigate to admin/report-failed-login.php with a specially crafted URI containing a question mark followed by malicious payload data, which then gets reflected back to the user's browser without proper sanitization or encoding.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the application's URI processing logic. When the application receives a URI containing query parameters, it fails to adequately filter or escape these inputs before they are rendered in the HTML response. This allows an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code, HTML tags, or other harmful content that executes in the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability specifically affects the administrative reporting functionality where failed login attempts are displayed, making it particularly dangerous as it targets privileged users who have access to sensitive administrative controls. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')", which represents one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, perform unauthorized administrative actions, or redirect users to malicious websites. Since the vulnerability targets the admin interface, successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to the application's administrative controls, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the attack payload must be delivered via a link or other means to trick users into clicking, but once executed, it can persist in the administrative context and provide attackers with extended access to sensitive data and system functions. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript' and T1566.001 for 'Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment' as it leverages web-based attack vectors to execute malicious code within the victim's browser environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-10447 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's URI handling processes. All user-supplied input parameters must be properly sanitized and encoded before being rendered in HTML contexts, with special attention to the admin/header.php file and related administrative components. The application should implement proper Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Additionally, developers should employ parameterized queries and input validation libraries to prevent malicious data from being processed as executable code. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious URI patterns and ensure that all users accessing administrative interfaces are authenticated through secure methods. Regular security code reviews and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application, with particular focus on areas handling user input in web contexts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to OWASP Top Ten security guidelines to prevent cross-site scripting attacks that can have severe consequences in administrative web applications.