CVE-2023-1885 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 • 07/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1885 represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw within the thorsten/phpmyfaq GitHub repository, affecting versions prior to 3.1.12. This issue manifests in the application's handling of user input that gets persisted in the database and subsequently rendered without proper sanitization. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation and escaping of user-supplied data that is stored in the application's backend systems and later displayed to other users. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious javascript code through input fields that are then stored in the database, making the payload persistent across user sessions. The flaw specifically impacts the phpmyfaq application's content management capabilities where user-generated content is processed and rendered within web pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a weakness that occurs when an application incorporates untrusted data into web pages without proper validation or escaping. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that malicious scripts are permanently embedded in the application's database rather than being reflected in a single HTTP request, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over extended periods. The vulnerability exploits the application's failure to properly sanitize user input before storing it, allowing attackers to inject script code that executes in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected content. This type of flaw typically occurs in applications that do not implement proper output encoding or input validation mechanisms for data that is intended to be rendered as part of web page content.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-1885 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, redirect users to malicious sites, or execute arbitrary commands within the victim's browser context. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that once an attacker successfully injects malicious code, it can affect all users who access the affected pages, potentially compromising user accounts and sensitive data within the phpmyfaq application. This vulnerability can be particularly damaging in environments where the application handles confidential information, user credentials, or business-critical data. The attack vector typically involves submitting malicious content through forms or input fields that are then stored in the database, creating a persistent threat that can remain active until the vulnerability is patched.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-1885 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data processing pipeline. Organizations should immediately upgrade to phpmyfaq version 3.1.12 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. The remediation process should include implementing proper sanitization of all user input before storage, applying context-specific output encoding when rendering data, and implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Security measures should also include regular code reviews focusing on data handling practices, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, and establishing robust input validation routines that prevent script injection attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing automated security scanning tools to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and maintain updated threat intelligence to monitor for related attack patterns. The fix should align with established security best practices and industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in the future.