CVE-2023-1106 in FlatPress
Summary
by MITRE • 03/02/2023
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in FlatPress. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file setup/lib/main.lib.php of the component Setup. The manipulation leads to cross site scripting. The attack may be initiated remotely. The name of the patch is 5f23b4c2eac294cc0ba5e541f83a6f8a26f9fed1. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue. The identifier VDB-217001 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2023
This cross site scripting vulnerability in FlatPress represents a significant security risk that allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications through the setup/lib/main.lib.php file processing. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Setup component of the FlatPress content management system. The flaw specifically manifests during the handling of user-supplied data in the main.lib.php file, where insufficient sanitization permits malicious payloads to be executed in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross site scripting flaws resulting from improper validation of input data. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious inputs that get processed through the vulnerable file handling routines, subsequently executing arbitrary JavaScript code in victims' browsers. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system and can initiate attacks through web interfaces or crafted URLs. This vulnerability impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected web application by potentially allowing session hijacking, data theft, or malicious redirection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can lead to complete compromise of user sessions and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to steal cookies, modify content, redirect users to malicious sites, or establish persistent backdoors through the compromised FlatPress installation. The vulnerability affects not just individual users but potentially entire web applications that rely on the affected setup component, making it particularly dangerous for web hosting environments where multiple sites might share common infrastructure components.
Security professionals should prioritize patching this vulnerability as soon as possible since no known mitigations exist beyond applying the official patch identified by the commit hash 5f23b4c2eac294cc0ba5e541f83a6f8a26f9fed1. The recommended remediation strategy includes immediate deployment of the patched version and thorough testing to ensure no regression issues occur. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as web application firewalls, input validation rules, and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components of their web applications. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices that align with industry standards such as those recommended by the Open Web Application Security Project and the Center for Internet Security. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, highlighting the need for comprehensive security controls that address both server-side and client-side attack vectors in modern web applications.