CVE-2020-29241 in Online News Portal
Summary
by MITRE • 01/26/2021
Online News Portal using PHP/MySQLi 1.0 is affected by cross-site scripting (XSS) which allows remote attackers to inject an arbitrary web script or HTML via the "Title" parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-29241 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Online News Portal application version 1.0 that utilizes PHP and MySQLi database connectivity. This security weakness manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input submitted through the "Title" parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks in web applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing script code within the Title parameter during content submission or editing processes. When the vulnerable application stores this input without proper sanitization and subsequently displays it on web pages without adequate HTML escaping or context-appropriate encoding, the embedded scripts execute in the browsers of unsuspecting users who view the affected content. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it allows for persistent XSS attacks where malicious scripts can be stored on the server and executed whenever the affected page is accessed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. An attacker could potentially steal user sessions, access sensitive information, or manipulate the application's functionality to compromise the entire news portal. The vulnerability affects the application's integrity and availability, potentially leading to data breaches, reputational damage, and compliance violations. The persistent nature of stored XSS attacks means that the malicious code remains active until the vulnerable input is removed or the application is patched, creating ongoing security risks for all users interacting with the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Developers must ensure that all user-supplied data, particularly in fields like Title parameters, undergo rigorous sanitization before being stored in the database and rendered in web pages. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers, proper HTML escaping functions, and parameterized queries can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Additionally, regular security code reviews, input validation testing, and adherence to secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines are essential. The application should also implement proper session management and authentication controls to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Regular patch management and vulnerability scanning should be maintained to identify and remediate similar issues across the entire application stack.