CVE-2022-36748 in PicUploader
Summary
by MITRE • 08/31/2022
PicUploader v2.6.3 was discovered to contain a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability via the component /master/index.php.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-36748 affects PicUploader version 2.6.3 and represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw located within the /master/index.php component of the application. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within the web application's response. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple sessions and user interactions.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability demonstrates a classic failure in web application security controls where user input parameters are directly incorporated into dynamic web content without proper sanitization. The /master/index.php endpoint likely processes user-provided data through GET or POST requests and subsequently renders this data within HTML output without adequate HTML entity encoding or other protective measures. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, where the weakness occurs when a web application fails to validate or escape user-controllable data before incorporating it into dynamically generated HTML content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it provides attackers with the capability to execute malicious code within the context of other users' browsers. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims, redirect users to malicious websites, or harvest sensitive information from authenticated sessions. The persistent nature of XSS attacks means that once the vulnerability is exploited, the malicious script can continue to execute against all users who view the affected page until the vulnerability is patched or the malicious content is removed from the application.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in relation to ATT&CK framework technique T1531 which covers "Modify System Image" and T1203 which addresses "Exploitation for Client Execution" as attackers can leverage this XSS flaw to establish persistent access through browser-based attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated through various attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently interact with web applications. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and the implementation of Content Security Policy headers to prevent script execution from unauthorized sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-36748 should include comprehensive patching of the PicUploader application to the latest version that addresses the XSS vulnerability, alongside implementation of proper input validation mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing. The application should enforce strict output encoding practices, particularly when rendering user-controllable data within HTML contexts, and administrators should consider implementing Web Application Firewalls that can detect and block suspicious script injection attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application's codebase, particularly in areas that handle user input and dynamic content generation, ensuring that the application maintains robust defenses against cross-site scripting attacks.