CVE-2023-2667 in Lost and Found Information System
Summary
by MITRE • 05/12/2023
A vulnerability has been found in SourceCodester Lost and Found Information System 1.0 and classified as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file admin/. The manipulation of the argument page leads to cross site scripting. The attack can be launched remotely. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-228883.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2023
This vulnerability resides within the SourceCodester Lost and Found Information System version 1.0, specifically targeting the administrative interface component. The flaw manifests through improper input validation in the admin/ directory where the page parameter fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied data. This cross-site scripting vulnerability (XSS) represents a critical security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability operates through the manipulation of the page argument, which serves as an entry point for executing unauthorized code within the victim's browser context. The attack vector is remotely exploitable, meaning malicious actors can leverage this weakness without requiring physical access to the target system or direct network interaction with the vulnerable application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a common web application security flaw occurring when an application incorporates untrusted data into web pages without proper validation or escaping. The specific nature of the flaw indicates insufficient output encoding and input sanitization mechanisms within the administrative interface. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that exploit this vulnerability by injecting script code through the page parameter, which then executes in the context of other users' browsers who access the affected administrative pages. This creates a persistent threat where legitimate users may unknowingly execute malicious code, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the compromised system. The vulnerability's classification as remotely exploitable places it within the ATT&CK framework under the T1566 technique category, specifically targeting the initial access phase through malicious web content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive administrative functions and user data within the lost and found information system. Successful exploitation could enable unauthorized users to manipulate the administrative interface, view confidential information, or even escalate privileges within the application. The vulnerability's presence in the admin/ directory suggests that attackers could gain access to privileged functionalities, potentially compromising the entire system's integrity and confidentiality. Organizations using this specific version of the SourceCodester system face significant risk of unauthorized access and data exposure, particularly if the application handles sensitive information about lost items, found items, or user details. The remote exploitability means that attackers can target the system from anywhere on the internet, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations that do not maintain proper network segmentation or application firewalls.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious script injection. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user inputs, particularly those used in dynamic page rendering, and ensuring proper HTML escaping of output data. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Regular security updates and patches should be applied to address known vulnerabilities, while network monitoring can help detect suspicious activities related to XSS attempts. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and conducting regular security assessments can provide layered protection against similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include comprehensive code review of the admin/ directory components to identify and address all potential injection points, ensuring that the application follows secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and other industry security standards.