CVE-2020-10463 in PHPKB Standard Multi-Language
Summary
by MITRE
Reflected XSS in admin/edit-template.php in Chadha PHPKB Standard Multi-Language 9 allows attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the GET parameter p.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-10463 represents a critical reflected cross-site scripting flaw within the Chadha PHPKB Standard Multi-Language version 9 content management system. This security weakness exists in the admin/edit-template.php script where user input is not properly sanitized before being reflected back to the browser. The vulnerability specifically manifests through the GET parameter p which accepts unvalidated user input and directly incorporates it into the page output without adequate encoding or validation measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing crafted script code within the p parameter and convinces a victim administrator to click the link, the malicious payload gets executed within the administrator's browser context. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited to hijack administrator sessions, steal sensitive credentials, or perform unauthorized administrative actions. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with elevated privileges within the application's administrative interface. Since the vulnerability affects the admin/edit-template.php page, successful exploitation could enable attackers to modify templates, inject malicious code into web pages, or potentially gain full administrative control over the knowledge base system. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the attack requires user interaction, typically through social engineering techniques such as phishing emails or compromised links, but once triggered, it can have severe consequences for the entire system's integrity and confidentiality. Organizations using this version of PHPKB are particularly at risk as the vulnerability exists in the core administrative functionality that handles template modifications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding measures within the application code. The specific fix involves sanitizing all user input received through the p parameter before incorporating it into the page response, utilizing proper HTML encoding techniques to prevent script execution. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against reflected XSS attacks. Organizations should also consider applying the vendor's official patch or upgrade to a patched version of PHPKB Standard Multi-Language. Regular security auditing of web applications, implementation of web application firewalls, and comprehensive security training for administrators can help prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include monitoring for any signs of exploitation attempts and implementing proper access controls to limit the impact of potential breaches.