CVE-2023-3183 in Performance Indicator System
Summary
by MITRE • 06/09/2023
A vulnerability was found in SourceCodester Performance Indicator System 1.0. It has been declared as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file /admin/addproduct.php. The manipulation of the argument prodname leads to cross site scripting. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-231163.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-3183 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw within the SourceCodester Performance Indicator System version 1.0. This security weakness resides in the administrative component of the application, specifically within the /admin/addproduct.php file where user input is improperly handled. The vulnerability manifests when the prodname parameter is manipulated, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The affected system lacks proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, creating an environment where malicious code can persist and propagate through the application's interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows established patterns documented in CWE-79, which categorizes cross site scripting as a code injection flaw where untrusted data is embedded into web pages viewed by other users. This particular implementation flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary javascript code within the browser of authenticated users who view the affected product listings. The attack vector operates through a simple parameter manipulation technique where an attacker crafts malicious input containing script tags that get executed when the product name is displayed in the administrative interface. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that no local access or privileged credentials are required to carry out the attack, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle sensitive administrative data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. When an authenticated administrator or user views a maliciously crafted product name, the injected scripts can access cookies, local storage, and other browser-based data that may contain sensitive session information. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers social engineering through spearphishing with a link, where the malicious payload is delivered through the web interface itself. The disclosure of this exploit to the public community means that attackers can readily leverage this weakness without requiring advanced technical knowledge, significantly increasing the attack surface and potential damage to affected systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-3183 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data handling processes. The immediate solution involves sanitizing all user-supplied input, particularly the prodname parameter, by removing or encoding special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or script tags. This approach aligns with OWASP recommendations for preventing cross site scripting vulnerabilities and follows the principle of least privilege in input handling. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to limit the sources from which scripts can be executed within the application's interface. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application, as the presence of one XSS vulnerability often indicates potential issues in related code sections. The affected system administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for unusual patterns of input that may indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability.