CVE-2023-1771 in Grade Point Average GPA Calculator
Summary
by MITRE • 03/31/2023
A vulnerability was found in SourceCodester Grade Point Average GPA Calculator 1.0 and classified as problematic. Affected by this issue is the function get_scale of the file Master.php. The manipulation of the argument perc leads to cross site scripting. The attack may be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-224672.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2023
This vulnerability resides within the SourceCodester Grade Point Average GPA Calculator version 1.0, a web application designed for academic grading calculations. The flaw manifests in the Master.php file where the get_scale function processes user input without adequate sanitization, creating a persistent cross-site scripting vulnerability that can be exploited remotely. The specific vector involves the perc argument which is manipulated to inject malicious script code into the application's output, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity. This vulnerability represents a critical security weakness that directly impacts the application's defensive posture and user safety.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and output encoding within the get_scale function. When user-provided percentage values are processed through the perc parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before rendering it in web responses. This creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious javascript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content. The remote exploitation capability means attackers can leverage this flaw from any location without requiring physical access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. Given that this application handles academic grading data, successful exploitation could compromise student records, grades, and potentially institutional academic integrity. The public disclosure of the exploit (VDB-224672) increases the risk profile significantly as threat actors can readily implement the attack without requiring advanced technical skills. This vulnerability affects the application's availability, integrity, and confidentiality, making it a serious concern for educational institutions relying on the system.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate input validation and output encoding improvements within the Master.php file. The get_scale function must implement proper sanitization of the perc argument using established encoding methods such as html_entity_encode or similar security measures. Organizations should also implement content security policies to limit script execution and consider input length restrictions to prevent buffer overflow scenarios. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities across the application codebase. The remediation approach should follow OWASP secure coding practices and incorporate automated scanning tools to detect similar XSS vulnerabilities in other components. Regular updates and patches should be applied to ensure the application remains protected against known attack vectors.