CVE-2021-40975 in Ecommerce-CodeIgniter-Bootstrap
Summary
by MITRE • 10/02/2021
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in application/modules/admin/views/ecommerce/products.php in Ecommerce-CodeIgniter-Bootstrap (Codeigniter 3.1.11, Bootstrap 3.3.7) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the search_title parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2021
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the Ecommerce-CodeIgniter-Bootstrap web application framework which utilizes CodeIgniter 3.1.11 and Bootstrap 3.3.7 components. The flaw is specifically located in the product management interface at application/modules/admin/views/ecommerce/products.php file where user input from the search_title parameter is not properly sanitized or escaped before being rendered in the web page context. This represents a classic reflected XSS vulnerability where malicious input can be injected into the application's response, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the victim's browser. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically addressing the failure to properly escape or filter user-controllable data before incorporating it into dynamically generated HTML content. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it allows remote code execution within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it provides attackers with a foothold to perform more sophisticated attacks within the application's administrative interface. Since the vulnerable endpoint is part of the ecommerce product management module, an attacker could potentially manipulate product listings, modify pricing information, or inject malicious scripts that would persist across user sessions. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it without requiring physical access or local network presence, making it particularly dangerous for applications that handle sensitive commerce data. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes social engineering attacks that may include phishing or malicious web content delivery, and T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter techniques that attackers might use once they have achieved initial access through XSS. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the admin interface where privileged users operate, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data flow. The most effective immediate fix involves implementing strict input sanitization for all parameters received from user input, particularly those used in HTML generation contexts. This includes applying HTML entity encoding to all dynamic content before rendering it in the browser, which prevents script execution even if malicious input is somehow accepted. The application should implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution sources and prevent unauthorized code injection. Additionally, developers should adopt secure coding practices such as using parameterized queries for database operations and implementing proper input validation frameworks. The fix should also include regular security code reviews and automated vulnerability scanning to identify similar issues in other parts of the application. According to OWASP Top 10 2021, this vulnerability would be categorized as part of the A03:2021-Injection category, specifically addressing the improper handling of user input in web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting this specific vulnerability pattern. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that all user-controllable parameters are properly escaped and that the application's output encoding mechanisms are robust enough to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other modules.