CVE-2022-4738 in Blood Bank Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 12/26/2022
A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in SourceCodester Blood Bank Management System 1.0. Affected is an unknown function of the file index.php?page=users of the component User Registration Handler. The manipulation of the argument Name leads to cross site scripting. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. VDB-216774 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-4738 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw within the SourceCodester Blood Bank Management System version 1.0. This security weakness resides in the user registration handler component, specifically within the index.php?page=users file where user input is processed without adequate sanitization measures. The vulnerability is classified as problematic due to its potential for remote exploitation, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle sensitive user data. The flaw manifests when the Name parameter is manipulated during the user registration process, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the application's user registration handler. When users submit their names through the registration interface, the system fails to properly sanitize the input data before processing or displaying it within the web page context. This lack of proper sanitization creates an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious javascript code through the Name field, which then gets executed when other users view the affected page. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications, making it a well-documented and commonly exploited weakness in web applications. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it allows for remote exploitation without requiring any special privileges or authentication from the attacker's perspective.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user information, redirect users to malicious websites, or even execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. Given that this is a blood bank management system, the implications are particularly severe as it handles highly sensitive medical information that could be compromised through such an attack. The vulnerability could allow adversaries to access user accounts, view confidential patient data, or manipulate the registration process to create unauthorized accounts. This represents a significant risk to both patient privacy and the integrity of the blood bank management system, potentially violating healthcare data protection regulations and exposing the organization to legal and financial consequences.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-4738 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's user registration handler. The primary remediation approach involves sanitizing all user inputs, particularly the Name parameter, before processing or displaying them within the web interface. This includes implementing proper HTML entity encoding for all output, utilizing content security policies to prevent script execution, and employing input validation techniques that reject or sanitize potentially malicious content. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege for user registration functions and establishing proper access controls. Additionally, regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual code review should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application. The remediation efforts should align with ATT&CK framework techniques related to command and control, credential access, and persistence mechanisms that attackers might leverage through such XSS vulnerabilities, ensuring comprehensive protection against both current and potential future exploitation attempts.