CVE-2022-27436 in Ecommerce-Website
Summary
by MITRE • 04/04/2022
A cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in /public/admin/index.php?add_user at Ecommerce-Website v1.1.0 allows attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML via a crafted payload injected into the username text field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2022
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the administrative user management functionality of an ecommerce website version 1.1.0 where the add_user endpoint fails to properly sanitize user input. The flaw specifically manifests in the username text field parameter which does not implement adequate input validation or output encoding mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting malicious payloads containing script tags or other HTML elements that get executed in the context of other users' browsers when the compromised username is displayed within the administrative interface. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically addressing the failure to properly encode or escape user-controllable data before incorporating it into dynamic web content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with the capability to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect victims to malicious websites. When an administrator or other authenticated user views the compromised username within the admin interface, their browser executes the injected malicious code, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access to the administrative environment. This represents a critical security risk given that the administrative interface typically contains sensitive data and system controls that could be exploited to compromise the entire ecommerce platform. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which describes the use of malicious code injection to maintain access and execute arbitrary commands within the target environment.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding practices throughout the application's data flow. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-provided input through proper encoding mechanisms such as HTML entity encoding before rendering any user-controllable data in web pages. Additionally, implementing a Content Security Policy (CSP) header can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed. The development team should also consider implementing proper input length restrictions and character set validation for username fields to prevent attackers from crafting overly complex payloads. Regular security testing including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other application components. The fix should also include proper error handling that prevents information disclosure about the application's internal structure or configuration during error conditions.