CVE-2023-49539 in Book Store Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 03/02/2024
Book Store Management System v1.0 was discovered to contain a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in /bsms_ci/index.php/category. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML via a crafted payload injected into the category parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2025
The Book Store Management System v1.0 presents a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-49539 within its category handling functionality. This vulnerability exists in the /bsms_ci/index.php/category endpoint where user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered back to users. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts or HTML code through the category parameter, creating a persistent threat vector that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability represents a classic XSS weakness that falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it particularly dangerous in web applications where user interaction is expected.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload and submits it through the category parameter in the URL. When the application processes this input without adequate sanitization, the injected scripts execute within the context of other users' browsers who visit the affected page. This creates a chain reaction where legitimate users become unwitting participants in the attack, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate output encoding mechanisms that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks according to OWASP security guidelines.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that leverage the compromised user sessions. Attackers can exploit this weakness to steal cookies, modify user permissions, or even escalate privileges within the application. The persistent nature of XSS vulnerabilities means that once injected, malicious scripts can remain active for extended periods, continuously compromising user interactions until the vulnerability is patched. This particular flaw affects the core functionality of the book store management system, potentially allowing unauthorized modifications to category listings and compromising the integrity of the entire inventory management process.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-49539 must focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The system should employ strict parameter validation for all user inputs, particularly those used in dynamic content generation. Implementing Content Security Policy headers and proper HTML encoding of all dynamic content can significantly reduce the attack surface. Security patches should be prioritized to sanitize user input before processing, with the application employing proper escape sequences when rendering category names or descriptions. Additionally, regular security assessments and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the system, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution. Organizations should also consider implementing Web Application Firewalls and regular security monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.