CVE-2020-19515 in qdPM
Summary
by MITRE • 09/09/2021
qdPM V9.1 is vulnerable to Cross Site Scripting (XSS) via qdPM\install\modules\database_config.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-19515 affects qdPM version 9.1 and represents a cross site scripting flaw that resides within the database configuration module of the application. This particular XSS vulnerability exists in the file qdPM\install\modules\database_config.php, which suggests that the issue occurs during the installation process when users configure database settings for the application. The presence of this vulnerability during installation phase is particularly concerning as it may allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into the application's configuration process, potentially compromising the system before it even reaches operational status. Such a flaw undermines the fundamental security posture of the application during its most critical phase of deployment.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the database configuration interface. When users interact with the database_config.php module during installation, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in the web interface. This creates an environment where malicious actors can inject script code that will execute in the context of other users' browsers who visit the affected installation pages. The vulnerability is classified as a classic reflected XSS attack vector, where the malicious payload is embedded in the input parameters and then reflected back to the user's browser without proper sanitization. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross site scripting flaws in software applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities within the application's context. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface the installation interface, or even gain unauthorized access to the database configuration settings. During the installation phase, this vulnerability could allow attackers to manipulate the database connection parameters, potentially redirecting the application to connect to a malicious database server controlled by the attacker. The exploitation of this vulnerability during installation could lead to complete system compromise, as the attacker would have access to database credentials and could potentially modify the application's core configuration. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 which covers data from local system, suggesting that attackers could leverage such vulnerabilities to gain access to sensitive configuration data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the database configuration module. The application should sanitize all user inputs through proper validation routines that reject or escape potentially malicious content before processing or rendering it in the web interface. Additionally, developers should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts within the application context. The most effective remediation would involve upgrading to a patched version of qdPM that addresses this specific XSS vulnerability in the installation module, as recommended by the vendor's security advisories. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block XSS attack patterns, though this should not replace proper code-level fixes. Regular security assessments of installation and configuration interfaces should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application that may not have been addressed, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of securing all entry points into the application's configuration processes.