CVE-2023-1359 in Gadget Works Online Ordering System
Summary
by MITRE • 03/12/2023
A vulnerability has been found in SourceCodester Gadget Works Online Ordering System 1.0 and classified as problematic. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the file /philosophy/admin/user/controller.php?action=add of the component Add New User. The manipulation of the argument U_NAME leads to cross site scripting. The attack can be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. VDB-222862 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1359 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw within the SourceCodester Gadget Works Online Ordering System version 1.0. This vulnerability exists in the administrative user management component, specifically within the /philosophy/admin/user/controller.php file where the add new user functionality is implemented. The flaw manifests when the U_NAME parameter is processed without adequate input validation or output sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary javascript code into the application's response. The vulnerability's classification as remote exploitation capability means that attackers can leverage this weakness from external networks without requiring physical access to the system infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from improper handling of user input within the administrative controller layer of the application. When administrators or users interact with the add new user functionality, the U_NAME parameter is directly incorporated into the web response without appropriate sanitization measures. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that execute within the context of other users' browsers who view the affected page. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross site scripting flaws, representing one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security weaknesses. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a web application attack vector under the technique of code injection, specifically targeting the application's input validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking. Attackers can leverage this XSS flaw to perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to stealing administrator credentials, modifying user permissions, accessing sensitive system information, and potentially escalating privileges within the application. The disclosed exploit in VDB-222862 demonstrates that this vulnerability has already been weaponized by threat actors, making it an active risk to organizations currently running this version of the Gadget Works Online Ordering System. The administrative nature of the affected component means that successful exploitation could provide attackers with elevated privileges and access to the complete user management functionality, potentially compromising the entire user base of the application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-1359 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected application to the latest version that addresses this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase, particularly in all administrative interfaces where user data is processed. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed. Regular security assessments including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, while maintaining detailed logging and monitoring of administrative activities to detect suspicious behavior patterns.