CVE-2023-40153 in DEXGate
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
The affected product is vulnerable to a cross-site scripting vulnerability, which could allow an attacker to access the web application to introduce arbitrary Java Script by injecting an XSS payload into the 'hostname' parameter of the vulnerable software.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2023
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within a web application that fails to properly sanitize user input submitted through the hostname parameter. The flaw represents a classic reflected cross-site scripting issue where malicious JavaScript code can be injected and subsequently executed in the victim's browser when the application processes and displays the unvalidated hostname value. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms that should have been implemented to prevent malicious payloads from being interpreted as executable code rather than plain text. According to CWE-79, this weakness specifically refers to the improper handling of input data that allows attackers to inject executable code into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing JavaScript payload within the hostname parameter and persuades a victim to click the link, thereby executing the injected code in the victim's browser context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. Attackers can exploit this weakness to steal cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information that users have stored in their browsers. The vulnerability also allows for more sophisticated attacks such as defacement of web pages, redirection to malicious sites, or execution of additional malware. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability fits within the ATT&CK framework under T1566.001 - Phishing, as it can be leveraged to deliver malicious payloads through crafted web requests. The reflected nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious script is not stored on the server but is instead reflected back to the user in the application's response, making it particularly challenging to detect through traditional security monitoring approaches.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate input validation requirements and the broader application security posture. The most effective approach involves implementing comprehensive input sanitization that removes or encodes dangerous characters such as angle brackets, script tags, and JavaScript protocols before processing user-supplied data. Output encoding should be applied consistently whenever user data is rendered in web pages, ensuring that any potentially malicious content is treated as plain text rather than executable code. Additionally, implementing a Content Security Policy header can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded and executed. Security measures should also include regular input validation testing, automated scanning for XSS vulnerabilities, and comprehensive security training for developers to prevent similar flaws in future code development cycles. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect web applications from common injection attacks.