CVE-2023-23010 in Ecommerce-CodeIgniter-Bootstrap
Summary
by MITRE • 01/20/2023
Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Ecommerce-CodeIgniter-Bootstrap thru commit d5904379ca55014c5df34c67deda982c73dc7fe5 (on Dec 27, 2022), allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via the languages and trans_load parameters in file add_product.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2025
This cross site scripting vulnerability exists within the Ecommerce-CodeIgniter-Bootstrap application framework and represents a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution through improper input validation. The vulnerability manifests in the add_product.php file where the languages and trans_load parameters fail to properly sanitize user-supplied input, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the application's response. The affected codebase was last modified on December 27, 2022, through commit d5904379ca55014c5df34c67deda982c73dc7fe5, which introduced the insecure parameter handling mechanism. This flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross Site Scripting, specifically representing a reflected XSS vulnerability where attacker-controlled data is directly included in the application's output without proper sanitization or encoding. The vulnerability operates by allowing an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code through the languages and trans_load parameters, which are then executed in the context of other users' browsers when they access the affected page. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized transactions, or redirect users to malicious websites. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and potential privilege escalation within the application's user context. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing via Social Media) and T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript) techniques, as attackers can leverage the XSS flaw to deliver malicious JavaScript payloads to unsuspecting users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in e-commerce environments where user sessions and sensitive transaction data are handled, as successful exploitation could lead to complete account compromise and financial fraud. The root cause lies in the application's failure to implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, specifically failing to sanitize parameters before incorporating them into dynamic web content. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability affects the entire CodeIgniter framework implementation and requires immediate attention to prevent exploitation. The mitigation strategy must include implementing proper parameter validation, input sanitization, and output encoding techniques to prevent malicious data from being executed as code. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers and using frameworks that automatically handle XSS prevention mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices in web applications and the potential for seemingly minor input validation flaws to create significant security risks. Organizations utilizing this framework should conduct immediate security assessments to identify all potential entry points and ensure comprehensive patching of the identified vulnerability.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from the application's lack of proper parameter sanitization within the add_product.php file. When users submit data through the languages and trans_load parameters, the application fails to validate or encode these inputs before rendering them in the web response. This creates an environment where malicious actors can inject JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS issue because the malicious script is reflected back to the user through the application's response rather than being stored in a database. This particular implementation flaw allows attackers to inject scripts that can capture user credentials, manipulate the application interface, or redirect users to phishing sites. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in public-facing e-commerce environments. According to industry standards, this vulnerability represents a failure in the application's secure coding practices and violates fundamental security principles outlined in OWASP Top Ten. The specific attack vector involves crafting malicious payloads that exploit the parameter handling mechanism, which then gets executed when other users view the affected page. The impact of exploitation can range from session theft to full account compromise, depending on the privileges of the targeted users. This vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies, as a single parameter validation flaw can create cascading security issues throughout the application. Security controls should include implementing proper input validation libraries, using parameterized queries, and ensuring all user-supplied data is properly escaped before rendering in web contexts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security code reviews to prevent similar issues in future development cycles.
The operational implications of this CVE-2023-23010 vulnerability extend far beyond simple script injection, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for advanced persistent threats within e-commerce environments. The vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized transaction processing. When users access the affected add_product.php page, any malicious JavaScript code injected through the languages and trans_load parameters executes automatically, creating a stealthy attack mechanism that can operate without user interaction. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the core application functionality and can be exploited through legitimate user interactions, making detection more challenging. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that this vulnerability exists within a popular framework implementation, meaning that organizations using the Ecommerce-CodeIgniter-Bootstrap framework are at risk regardless of their specific implementation details. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability enables techniques such as credential access and privilege escalation, as successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to user accounts and administrative functions. The vulnerability also represents a failure in the application's security architecture, as it demonstrates inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement immediate remediation measures including parameter validation, input sanitization, and output encoding to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for regular security assessments and code reviews, as well as the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches for all framework components. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, and user education should be implemented to recognize potential phishing attempts that might leverage this vulnerability. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions in the application's functionality while maintaining the security of user data and transactions.