CVE-2022-2293 in Simple Sales Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 07/12/2022
A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in SourceCodester Simple Sales Management System 1.0. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file /ci_ssms/index.php/orders/create. The manipulation of the argument customer_name with the input alert("XSS") 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 • 07/18/2022
This vulnerability represents a classic cross site scripting flaw in the SourceCodester Simple Sales Management System version 1.0 where the customer_name parameter in the /ci_ssms/index.php/orders/create endpoint fails to properly sanitize user input. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's web interface, allowing malicious script execution when the vulnerable parameter is processed. The specific exploitation occurs when an attacker submits the payload alert("XSS") through the customer_name field, which then gets rendered in the web page without proper sanitization, enabling the execution of arbitrary javascript code in the context of the victim's browser. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross site scripting flaws in web applications. The remote exploitation capability means that an attacker can leverage this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous for web-based applications that are publicly accessible.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with the ability to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, and potentially escalate privileges within the application. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the sales management system by compromising the integrity of customer data entry processes, which could lead to data corruption or unauthorized access to business-critical information. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers social engineering through spearphishing attachments, as the XSS payload could be delivered through malicious customer entries that appear legitimate within the application's interface. The disclosure of the exploit to the public significantly increases the risk surface as it provides a readily available attack vector for malicious actors who may not require advanced technical skills to exploit this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious script injection, specifically ensuring that all user-supplied data is sanitized before being processed or displayed in the web interface. The application should employ context-specific output encoding for different data contexts including HTML, JavaScript, and URL contexts to prevent payload execution. Additionally, implementing a content security policy header can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Security headers such as X-Content-Type-Options and X-Frame-Options should also be configured to prevent MIME type sniffing and clickjacking attacks. Regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. The implementation of a web application firewall can provide additional protection against known XSS attack patterns while proper logging and monitoring should be established to detect suspicious activities related to this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege for application users and ensure that the application follows secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.