CVE-2021-40577 in Online Enrollment Management System in PHP
Summary
by MITRE • 11/08/2021
A Stored Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists in Sourcecodester Online Enrollment Management System in PHP and PayPal Free Source Code 1.0 in the Add-Users page via the Name parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2025
The stored cross site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-40577 represents a critical security flaw within the Sourcecodester Online Enrollment Management System version 1.0 and its associated PHP and PayPal Free Source Code 1.0 implementation. This vulnerability specifically manifests in the Add-Users page where user input through the Name parameter is not properly sanitized or validated before being stored in the database and subsequently rendered back to users. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious javascript code that persists in the system and executes whenever other users view the affected user records, creating a stored XSS attack vector that can compromise user sessions and data integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the web application's user management functionality. When administrators or users submit new user information through the Add-Users interface, the Name parameter value is directly processed and stored without proper sanitization of potentially malicious content. This failure to implement proper security controls for user-supplied data creates an environment where attackers can embed javascript payloads that will execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is classified as stored XSS under CWE-79 which specifically addresses the improper handling of untrusted data in web applications. This weakness enables attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, redirect users to malicious sites, and potentially escalate privileges within the compromised system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft and can severely compromise the security posture of organizations using this enrollment management system. Attackers can exploit this flaw to steal session cookies, execute unauthorized transactions, modify user permissions, or gain persistent access to the system through user account compromise. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that malicious payloads remain active even after the initial injection, allowing attackers to maintain access over extended periods. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in educational or administrative environments where enrollment systems handle sensitive personal information, financial data, and user credentials. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that this vulnerability affects multiple components within the system, including both the core enrollment management functionality and the integrated PayPal payment processing, potentially creating additional attack vectors for cybercriminals.
Organizations utilizing this software should implement immediate mitigations including comprehensive input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data fields, particularly those used in user management and administrative interfaces. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers, proper HTML encoding of output, and input sanitization routines can effectively prevent XSS attacks. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application codebase. The remediation approach should align with industry best practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically addressing the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities through XSS techniques. Regular updates and patches should be applied to ensure the system remains protected against known vulnerabilities, and user access controls should be reviewed to limit potential damage from compromised accounts.