CVE-2021-40924 in bugs
Summary
by MITRE • 10/02/2021
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in install/index.php in bugs 1.8 and below version allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the first_name parameter.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2021
The CVE-2021-40924 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the bugs application version 1.8 and earlier, specifically affecting the install/index.php file. This vulnerability exposes the application to remote code execution risks when attackers manipulate the first_name parameter during the installation process. The flaw resides in the insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before it is processed and rendered within the web application interface. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities in web applications, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to exploit web application security weaknesses.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to employ proper input sanitization techniques when handling the first_name parameter. During the installation phase, when user input is collected through the web interface, the application directly incorporates this data into the HTML output without adequate sanitization or encoding. This creates an environment where malicious actors can inject arbitrary JavaScript code or HTML payloads that execute within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability operates at the web application layer and leverages the trust relationship between the application and its users, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring authentication or privileged access to the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-40924 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to victim systems through session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that exploit the XSS vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or inject malware delivery mechanisms. The vulnerability affects the installation process specifically, meaning that any organization deploying or upgrading the bugs application version 1.8 or earlier is at risk of having their systems compromised during the initial setup phase. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations that may not have robust security testing processes in place during deployment.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the bugs application to version 1.9 or later where the XSS vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and output encoding. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures that validate and sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, particularly during installation and configuration phases. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and proper HTML encoding mechanisms can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against similar vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script injection and T1566 for social engineering techniques, emphasizing the need for comprehensive application security testing including dynamic application security testing and static code analysis to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future development cycles.