CVE-2023-1688 in Earnings and Expense Tracker App
Summary
by MITRE • 03/29/2023
A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in SourceCodester Earnings and Expense Tracker App 1.0. This affects an unknown part of the file Master.php?a=save_expense. The manipulation of the argument name leads to cross site scripting. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-224307.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1688 represents a cross site scripting vulnerability within the SourceCodester Earnings and Expense Tracker App version 1.0. This security flaw specifically impacts the Master.php file when accessed through the parameter a=save_expense, making it a critical concern for applications handling financial and expense data. The vulnerability classification as problematic indicates the potential for significant security implications given the nature of the affected application which deals with personal financial information.
The technical flaw manifests through improper input validation and sanitization within the Master.php script where the name parameter is processed without adequate security measures. When an attacker manipulates the name argument, the application fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. This allows malicious script code to be injected and executed within the context of other users' browsers, creating a persistent cross site scripting vector. The vulnerability exists in the server-side processing logic where user input flows directly into output without appropriate security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within victim browsers and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive financial information. Remote exploitation is possible, meaning attackers can trigger the vulnerability without requiring physical access to the system or network. This creates a significant risk for users who may unknowingly interact with maliciously crafted requests, leading to potential session hijacking, data exfiltration, or further escalation within the application. The nature of expense tracking applications makes this particularly dangerous as attackers could access detailed financial records and transaction histories.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data processing pipeline. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user-supplied input including the name parameter through proper escaping techniques before any data is rendered in web pages. Application developers should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities and employ proper parameter validation frameworks to prevent malicious input from being processed. Additionally, regular security code reviews and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross site scripting flaws, and follows ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through malicious input manipulation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious parameter patterns to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.