CVE-2022-2363 in Simple Parking Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 07/12/2022
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in SourceCodester Simple Parking Management System 1.0. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file /ci_spms/admin/search/searching/. The manipulation of the argument search with the input ">alert("XSS") leads to cross site scripting. The attack may be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2022
This vulnerability exists within the SourceCodester Simple Parking Management System version 1.0, specifically affecting the administrative search functionality located at /ci_spms/admin/search/searching/. The flaw represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the application's search interface. The vulnerability is triggered when an attacker submits a crafted payload containing the string ">alert("XSS") into the search parameter, which demonstrates the system's failure to properly sanitize user input before rendering it within the web page context. This particular implementation of the vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The attack vector is remotely exploitable, meaning that malicious actors can trigger the vulnerability without requiring physical access to the system or local network presence, making it particularly dangerous in public-facing web applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the search functionality. When the application processes the search query without proper sanitization, it directly incorporates user-supplied data into the HTML response without appropriate escaping or encoding mechanisms. This creates an environment where attacker-controlled JavaScript code can execute within the context of other users' browsers who access the affected search results page. The vulnerability's classification as remotely exploitable aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which describes social engineering attacks through spearphishing, as users may unknowingly trigger the XSS payload when navigating to search results. The disclosure of the exploit to the public community significantly increases the risk exposure, as it provides potential attackers with a ready-made attack vector that requires minimal technical expertise to implement.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. An attacker could potentially leverage this XSS vulnerability to steal user sessions, redirect victims to malicious sites, or inject additional malicious payloads that could compromise the entire application. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that this affects an administrative interface, which typically contains sensitive data and privileged functions. The vulnerability represents a critical security gap in the application's defense-in-depth strategy, as it allows for client-side code execution that bypasses traditional server-side security controls. Organizations utilizing this system face significant risk of unauthorized access and data compromise, especially if the administrative interface contains sensitive operational data or user information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's search functionality. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user input before processing and rendering it within HTML contexts, utilizing proper HTML escaping techniques to prevent script injection. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of inline scripts and restrict the sources from which scripts can be loaded. The application should also employ proper parameter validation and implement a whitelist approach for accepted input values. Additionally, regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. From a defensive perspective, implementing web application firewalls and security monitoring systems can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping web applications updated and following secure coding practices, as this issue could have been prevented through proper input validation and output encoding as recommended in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.