CVE-2020-36085 in Resumes Management and Job Application Website
Summary
by MITRE • 02/07/2025
Stored Cross Site Scripting(XSS) vulnerability in Egavilan Media Resumes Management and Job Application Website 1.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary code via First and Last Name in Apply For This Job Form.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2025
This stored cross site scripting vulnerability exists within the Egavilan Media Resumes Management and Job Application Website version 1.0, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of victim browsers. The vulnerability specifically manifests when users submit job applications through the Apply For This Job Form, where the application processes and stores user input containing first and last names without proper sanitization or encoding. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious javascript code that persists in the application's database and subsequently executes whenever the stored data is rendered on web pages, creating a persistent threat vector that affects all users who view the compromised content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the web application's data handling pipeline. When users enter malicious payloads into the first and last name fields during job applications, the system fails to properly sanitize these inputs before storing them in the backend database. This stored data is then retrieved and displayed without appropriate html entity encoding or javascript context escaping, allowing attackers to craft payloads that can execute arbitrary scripts in the browsers of other users who view the affected application data. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 classification for Cross Site Scripting, specifically targeting the stored variant where malicious content is permanently stored and executed during subsequent page requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it creates a persistent backdoor for attackers to compromise user sessions and execute advanced attacks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, or even establish persistent command and control channels through the compromised application. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the attack remains effective even after the initial injection, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on job application systems to handle sensitive user information. This vulnerability directly maps to several attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the web application attack patterns, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through user input manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of comprehensive input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data flow. Organizations should implement strict validation of all user inputs, particularly those that are stored and later rendered, using proper html entity encoding and javascript context escaping before displaying any user-supplied content. The application should employ Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and implement proper input length restrictions and character validation to prevent injection attempts. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other input fields and application components, while also implementing proper access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized modifications to stored data. The fix should align with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and other industry standards for web application security to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions of the application.