CVE-2023-51436 in Universal Passport RX
Summary
by MITRE • 06/03/2024
Cross-site scripting vulnerability exists in UNIVERSAL PASSPORT RX versions 1.0.0 to 1.0.8, which may allow a remote authenticated attacker with an administrative privilege to execute an arbitrary script on the web browser of the user who is using the product.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2025
The cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-51436 affects the UNIVERSAL PASSPORT RX software within a specific version range from 1.0.0 to 1.0.8. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that enables malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary scripts within the web browser context of legitimate users. The flaw specifically targets authenticated administrative users who possess sufficient privileges to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access is required for system management. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's processing pipeline, allowing attacker-controlled data to be rendered without proper sanitization.
This XSS vulnerability operates through the exploitation of web application input fields and parameters that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. The flaw allows an authenticated attacker with administrative privileges to craft malicious payloads that get executed in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the compromised system. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates the critical nature of input validation and output encoding practices in preventing such attacks. The attack vector requires administrative authentication, suggesting that the vulnerability may be leveraged through compromised administrative credentials or through privilege escalation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform unauthorized actions within the application's administrative context. An attacker could potentially manipulate application data, modify user permissions, or even escalate privileges further within the system. The vulnerability's presence in a passport management system raises particular concerns about data integrity and user privacy, as sensitive personal information could be exposed or manipulated through successful exploitation. The risk is amplified by the fact that the vulnerability requires only administrative authentication, which typically provides broad access to system functions and data within such applications. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems or data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-51436 should prioritize immediate patching of affected versions to ensure the vulnerability is resolved at the source. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and proper sanitization of user inputs represents fundamental defensive measures that align with industry best practices for XSS prevention. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their web applications to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their entire software portfolio. Regular security updates and vulnerability management processes should be implemented to maintain protection against emerging threats. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection highlights the importance of comprehensive application security measures that address multiple attack vectors and prevent exploitation through various means.