CVE-2022-3992 in Sanitization Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 11/14/2022
A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in SourceCodester Sanitization Management System. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file admin/?page=system_info of the component Banner Image Handler. The manipulation leads to cross site scripting. The attack can be launched remotely. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-213571.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3992 represents a cross site scripting vulnerability within the SourceCodester Sanitization Management System, specifically affecting the admin/?page=system_info component's Banner Image Handler functionality. This issue falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The vulnerability exists in the system's handling of user-supplied input within the banner image management interface, where inadequate input validation and output encoding create an opportunity for malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical flaw manifests when an attacker can manipulate the Banner Image Handler component through the system_info page, potentially injecting malicious JavaScript code through image metadata or configuration parameters. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows for remote code execution through browser-based attacks, enabling adversaries to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of the victim's browser session. The attack vector requires no privileged access or complex exploitation techniques, making it highly accessible to threat actors. The vulnerability affects the system's input sanitization mechanisms, which should have properly escaped or validated any user-controllable data before rendering it in the web interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration attacks. Attackers could leverage this XSS flaw to steal administrator session cookies, potentially gaining full administrative control over the system. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can target the system from any location without requiring physical access or network proximity. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system, as malicious actors could manipulate system information displays, redirect users to malicious sites, or harvest sensitive data from authenticated sessions.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The system should employ proper HTML escaping for all user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages, implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution, and utilizing secure coding practices that prevent XSS vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of the OWASP Top Ten security controls, particularly those addressing input validation and output encoding. Organizations should also consider implementing Web Application Firewalls to detect and prevent XSS attacks, conduct regular security testing including dynamic application security testing, and ensure that all input fields are properly sanitized. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and session management mechanisms will help reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical need for continuous security awareness training for developers and regular security audits to identify and remediate similar flaws in web applications.