CVE-2023-1852 in Online Payroll System
Summary
by MITRE • 04/05/2023
A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in SourceCodester Online Payroll System 1.0. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the file /admin/deduction_edit.php. The manipulation of the argument description leads to cross site scripting. The attack can be initiated remotely. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-224992.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1852 represents a cross site scripting flaw within the SourceCodester Online Payroll System version 1.0, specifically within the administrative component located at /admin/deduction_edit.php. This classification places the issue within the purview of CWE-79 which defines cross site scripting as a critical security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications viewed by other users. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker manipulates the description argument parameter, which then gets improperly processed and rendered within the web application's user interface. The attack vector is remote, meaning that malicious actors can exploit this flaw without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous for web-based applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the payroll system's administrative interface. When user-supplied data enters the description field and is subsequently displayed without proper sanitization, it creates an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious javascript code or other harmful payloads. This flaw directly violates security best practices for web application development and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which encompasses social engineering tactics that leverage web-based attacks. The system fails to implement proper context-aware encoding mechanisms that would neutralize potentially harmful input before it is rendered to end users, creating a persistent security gap that can be exploited across multiple user sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or unauthorized access. Attackers can leverage this cross site scripting flaw to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive payroll information, manipulate administrative functions, or redirect users to malicious websites. The remote exploitation capability means that threat actors can target the system from anywhere on the internet without requiring local network access or physical presence. This vulnerability particularly affects the integrity and confidentiality of payroll data, which often contains sensitive personal and financial information about employees. The exploitation could potentially lead to unauthorized financial transactions, identity theft, or broader system compromise if the payroll system has access to other corporate resources or databases. Organizations using this software face significant risk of data breaches and regulatory compliance violations, especially in industries subject to financial data protection regulations such as those governed by pci dss or gdpr.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-1852 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The primary fix involves sanitizing all user-supplied input before it is processed or displayed, particularly within the description field of the deduction_edit.php component. Organizations should implement context-aware encoding that properly escapes special characters based on the output context, such as html, javascript, or url contexts. Additionally, the system should employ content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution and implement proper input length restrictions to limit potential attack surface. Regular security code reviews and automated vulnerability scanning should be integrated into the development lifecycle to identify similar flaws. The remediation process should also include updating the SourceCodester Online Payroll System to the latest version if available, as this vulnerability may have been addressed in subsequent releases. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while conducting regular security training for administrators to recognize potential social engineering attacks that might leverage this vulnerability.