CVE-2020-35261 in Multi Restaurant Table Reservation System
Summary
by MITRE • 07/15/2022
Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in sourcecodester Multi Restaurant Table Reservation System 1.0 via the Restaurant Name field to /dashboard/profile.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2022
This cross site scripting vulnerability exists within the Multi Restaurant Table Reservation System version 1.0, specifically affecting the Restaurant Name field in the dashboard profile page. The flaw allows authenticated users to inject malicious javascript code through the restaurant name input field, which is then executed when the profile page is rendered. This represents a classic stored cross site scripting vulnerability where user input is not properly sanitized or escaped before being displayed back to other users. The vulnerability resides in the /dashboard/profile.php endpoint which processes and displays restaurant name data without adequate input validation or output encoding mechanisms. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it leverages the dashboard profile functionality where administrators or authorized users might view the restaurant information, potentially exposing other logged-in users to malicious script execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates poor input sanitization practices and inadequate output encoding controls within the web application's data handling pipeline. When user-supplied restaurant names containing script tags or javascript code are submitted and stored in the system, they are subsequently retrieved and displayed on the profile page without proper HTML entity encoding or script sanitization. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that can execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the application's functionality. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security. The attack requires minimal privileges as it targets an authenticated user functionality, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators or privileged users regularly access the dashboard.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within the application's ecosystem. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially establish persistent malicious scripts that execute whenever other users view the profile page, enabling long-term surveillance or data exfiltration. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the application's user interface and can compromise user trust in the system's security. Additionally, this XSS flaw may enable attackers to bypass other security controls by manipulating the application's behavior through injected scripts, potentially leading to privilege escalation or further exploitation of related vulnerabilities. The attack can be executed through the standard web interface without requiring special tools or techniques, making it accessible to attackers with basic web security knowledge.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data flow. The system should employ strict input sanitization to remove or escape potentially dangerous characters and script tags from user-supplied restaurant names before storing them in the database. Output encoding must be implemented at the point of display, ensuring that any user-generated content is properly escaped when rendered in HTML contexts. The application should utilize context-aware encoding mechanisms that adapt to the specific output context, whether it be HTML, javascript, or attribute contexts. Security headers such as Content Security Policy should be implemented to add additional layers of protection against script execution. Regular security testing including dynamic and static analysis should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. The fix should align with OWASP Top Ten recommendations and adhere to secure coding practices as outlined in the CWE guidelines for preventing cross site scripting attacks. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and monitoring to detect anomalous user behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts.