CVE-2022-3845 in phpipam
Summary
by MITRE • 11/03/2022
A vulnerability has been found in phpipam and classified as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file app/admin/import-export/import-load-data.php of the component Import Preview Handler. The manipulation leads to cross site scripting. The attack can be launched remotely. Upgrading to version 1.5.0 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is 22c797c3583001211fe7d31bccd3f1d4aeeb3bbc. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-212863.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3845 affects phpipam, a widely used IP address management system that helps organizations track and manage their network resources. This security flaw resides within the Import Preview Handler component, specifically in the file app/admin/import-export/import-load-data.php, which processes data import operations for network configurations. The vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting issue that allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser when interacting with the affected phpipam interface.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the import preview functionality. When phpipam processes imported data for preview purposes, it fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied input before rendering it in the web interface. This inadequate sanitization creates an opening for attackers to inject malicious javascript code through the import mechanism. The vulnerability is classified as remote because an attacker can exploit it without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where phpipam is accessible over the internet. The attack vector specifically targets the import preview handler, which is designed to display data before actual import operations occur, making it a prime target for exploitation during routine administrative tasks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities within the context of authenticated users. Attackers could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even escalate privileges if the affected phpipam instance has elevated user permissions. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the network management system, potentially compromising the entire IP address management infrastructure. Organizations using phpipam for critical network operations face significant risks, as successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive network information and disruption of network management processes. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-79 (Cross-site Scripting) and its alignment with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 (Phishing) demonstrates the severity and potential attack surface.
Security remediation for CVE-2022-3845 requires immediate implementation of the vendor-provided patch, which addresses the root cause by implementing proper input validation and output sanitization in the import preview handler. Organizations should upgrade their phpipam installations to version 1.5.0 or later, as this release contains the necessary code modifications to prevent malicious script injection. The patch reference 22c797c3583001211fe7d31bccd3f1d4aeeb3bbc specifically targets the vulnerable code path in import-load-data.php. Beyond the immediate upgrade, system administrators should implement additional security measures including regular security assessments of network management tools, monitoring for unusual import activities, and maintaining updated security patches for all components in the network infrastructure. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of input validation in web applications and the critical need for maintaining current software versions to protect against known security flaws.