CVE-2023-1756 in phpmyfaq
Summary
by MITRE • 04/05/2023
Cross-site Scripting (XSS) - Stored in GitHub repository thorsten/phpmyfaq prior to 3.1.12.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1756 represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw within the thorsten/phpmyfaq GitHub repository, affecting versions prior to 3.1.12. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where malicious scripts are injected into web applications and subsequently executed in the context of other users. The flaw manifests in the phpmyfaq application's handling of user input, particularly in scenarios where content submitted by users is stored and later displayed without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the application's data processing pipeline. When users submit content through various forms or interfaces within phpmyfaq, the system fails to properly sanitize the input before storing it in the database. Subsequently, when this stored data is retrieved and rendered in web pages, the malicious script content is executed in the browsers of other users who view the affected content. This creates a persistent threat where attackers can inject malicious JavaScript code that executes automatically whenever the compromised content is accessed.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-1756 extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, credential theft, and other malicious activities. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to steal user sessions, redirect victims to malicious websites, or inject additional malware into the victim's browsing environment. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious code persists in the application's database, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over extended periods without requiring repeated exploitation attempts.
Security practitioners should address this vulnerability through immediate patching of the affected phpmyfaq versions to 3.1.12 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers, employing proper input validation frameworks, and conducting regular security audits of user input handling processes can significantly reduce the risk of similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.007 for scripting languages and T1566 for spearphishing with a link, as attackers can leverage stored XSS to deliver malicious payloads to unsuspecting users. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security testing to detect and prevent such vulnerabilities from being exploited in production environments.