CVE-2022-1085 in CLTPHP
Summary
by MITRE • 03/29/2022
A vulnerability was found in CLTPHP up to 6.0. It has been declared as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is the POST Parameter Handler. The manipulation leads to cross site scripting. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2022
The vulnerability identified in CLTPHP version 6.0 and earlier represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the application's POST parameter handling mechanism. This weakness resides in how the system processes user input through HTTP POST requests, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject harmful scripts into web applications that utilize this framework. The vulnerability has been officially documented and classified as a significant security risk due to its potential for widespread exploitation.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the CLTPHP framework's parameter processing routines. When user-supplied data is submitted via POST requests, the system fails to adequately sanitize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code by web browsers. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' sessions, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of legitimate users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables remote code execution capabilities when combined with other attack vectors. The public disclosure of exploit codes means that threat actors can readily leverage this weakness without requiring advanced technical skills or extensive reconnaissance. This accessibility significantly increases the risk profile for organizations using affected versions of CLTPHP, particularly those running web applications that process user input through POST parameters. The remote exploitation capability eliminates the need for physical access or complex network intrusions, making it an attractive target for automated attacks and botnets.
Security professionals should immediately implement mitigation strategies including input validation at multiple layers, output encoding for all dynamic content, and regular security updates to address this vulnerability. Organizations must conduct comprehensive audits of their CLTPHP installations to identify all affected systems and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk assessment. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that should govern input processing in web frameworks. Additionally, this weakness corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for credential access through web application vulnerabilities, highlighting the potential for this vulnerability to serve as an initial access vector for broader security breaches.
The disclosure status of this exploit necessitates immediate action from system administrators and security teams to prevent potential compromise of user data and application integrity. Regular monitoring for suspicious activities and implementing web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers while permanent fixes are deployed. Organizations should also consider conducting penetration testing to verify the effectiveness of their mitigation strategies and ensure complete remediation of this vulnerability across all affected systems.