CVE-2021-41658 in Student Quarterly Grading System
Summary
by MITRE • 01/24/2022
Cross Site Scripting (XSS) in Sourcecodester Student Quarterly Grading System by oretnom23, allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via the fullname and username parameters to the users page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-41658 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw within the Sourcecodester Student Quarterly Grading System version 1.0, developed by oretnom23. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of user input parameters, specifically targeting the fullname and username fields within the users page functionality. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 which defines cross site scripting as a code injection technique where malicious scripts are injected into otherwise benign and trusted websites. The flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary code in the context of the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the vulnerable system.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the web application's user management module. When users submit data through the fullname and username parameters, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This lack of proper input sanitization creates an environment where malicious actors can inject malicious payloads that execute in the victim's browser context. The vulnerability occurs because the application directly incorporates user-supplied data into dynamic web pages without appropriate context-aware encoding mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, creating significant risks for educational institutions utilizing this grading system. Attackers could potentially steal user sessions, modify student records, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive academic information. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire student database, as the malicious scripts could be used to capture credentials, redirect users to phishing sites, or exfiltrate stored data. This flaw undermines the trust model of the grading system and could lead to serious academic integrity violations, particularly given that the application handles sensitive student information and academic records.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-41658 should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves implementing proper context-aware output encoding for all user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages, which aligns with the OWASP secure coding practices. Additionally, developers should employ Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and implement proper input validation using allow-listing techniques rather than deny-listing approaches. The remediation process should also include regular security code reviews and automated scanning tools to identify similar vulnerabilities throughout the application codebase. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in preventing XSS attacks, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's technique T1566 for credential access through web application attacks.