CVE-2023-48858 in ABO.CMS
Summary
by MITRE • 01/17/2024
A Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in login page php code in Armex ABO.CMS 5.9 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the login.php? URL part.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-48858 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Armex ABO.CMS 5.9 platform, specifically affecting the login page functionality. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms implemented in the php code that processes user authentication requests. The vulnerability exists in the login.php? URL parameter handling, where attacker-controlled input is directly incorporated into the web page response without proper sanitization measures, creating an exploitable vector for malicious script injection.
This XSS vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation as a fundamental web application security weakness. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content through the login page URL parameters, potentially enabling them to execute malicious code within the context of other users' browsers. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it targets the authentication interface, which typically handles sensitive user credentials and session information, making it a prime target for exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be leveraged to perform session hijacking, credential theft, and user impersonation attacks. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that, when visited by authenticated users, execute scripts that steal session cookies or redirect users to phishing sites. The vulnerability affects the entire user base of the Armex ABO.CMS 5.9 platform, potentially compromising all accounts that authenticate through the vulnerable login interface. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which involves the use of unauthorized access to obtain credentials, as the XSS can be used to capture authentication tokens and session information.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase, particularly in the login page processing logic. The recommended approach includes sanitizing all user-supplied input before incorporating it into web page responses, implementing proper Content Security Policy headers, and utilizing parameterized queries or input filtering libraries. Additionally, the system should employ strict validation of URL parameters and implement proper escape sequences for all dynamic content rendered in the browser. Security patches should address the specific code paths in login.php where the vulnerability occurs, ensuring that any input from the URL query string is properly escaped before being processed or displayed to users. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their web applications to identify similar input validation weaknesses that could be exploited through other vectors, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices in authentication systems.