CVE-2023-3555 in PHP Vacation Rental Script
Summary
by MITRE • 07/10/2023
A vulnerability was found in GZ Scripts PHP Vacation Rental Script 1.8. It has been classified as problematic. This affects an unknown part of the file /preview.php. The manipulation of the argument page/layout/sort_by/property_id leads to cross site scripting. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The identifier VDB-233349 was assigned to this vulnerability. NOTE: The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2023
This vulnerability resides within the GZ Scripts PHP Vacation Rental Script version 1.8, specifically targeting the /preview.php file which serves as a critical component for displaying property previews to users. The cross-site scripting flaw manifests when malicious input is passed through parameters including page, layout, sort_by, and property_id, creating a persistent security risk that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability's classification as problematic indicates a significant security concern that could compromise user sessions and potentially lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data or system resources.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs through improper input validation and output sanitization within the preview.php script. When users navigate to property previews, the application fails to adequately escape or filter user-supplied parameters before rendering them in the web page context. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through the vulnerable parameters, which then executes in the victim's browser when they view the affected preview page. The attack vector operates remotely, meaning no local access or user interaction beyond visiting the malicious page is required, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that serve public content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, redirect victims to malicious websites, or even execute arbitrary commands on the affected server depending on the broader application architecture. The lack of vendor response to early disclosure attempts suggests either limited resources for patch development or potential denial of service issues that could affect the application's overall security posture. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as one of the most prevalent web application security weaknesses, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious script injection, along with comprehensive parameter sanitization for all user-supplied data. The application should employ proper Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution contexts and implement proper access controls to restrict which users can manipulate preview parameters. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, while also considering the implementation of web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. Organizations should also establish clear communication channels with vendors to ensure timely resolution of security issues, as demonstrated by the vendor's lack of response in this case.