CVE-2023-5694 in Internet Banking System
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
A vulnerability was found in CodeAstro Internet Banking System 1.0. It has been classified as problematic. Affected is an unknown function of the file pages_system_settings.php. The manipulation of the argument sys_name with the input <ScRiPt >alert(991)</ScRiPt> leads to cross site scripting. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-243132.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5694 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw within the CodeAstro Internet Banking System version 1.0. This security weakness resides in the pages_system_settings.php file where an unvalidated input parameter named sys_name is processed without proper sanitization or output encoding. The vulnerability classification as problematic indicates a significant risk to user security and system integrity, particularly given that this is a web-based banking application that handles sensitive financial data. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into the application's response, creating a persistent threat vector that can compromise user sessions and potentially lead to unauthorized financial transactions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a straightforward injection attack where the malicious input <ScRiPt >alert(991)</ScRiPt> is passed as the sys_name argument. This input demonstrates the classic XSS payload pattern that bypasses basic input validation by using mixed case script tags that could evade simple filtering mechanisms. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS attack since the malicious script is executed when the application processes and returns the unescaped user input within its HTML response. The fact that this attack can be launched remotely without requiring any special privileges or local access makes it particularly dangerous for online banking environments where users interact with the system through web browsers.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-5694 extends beyond simple script execution, as this vulnerability can be leveraged to create more sophisticated attacks within the banking system's context. An attacker could potentially steal user session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject additional malicious code that could compromise the entire banking session. Given that this is an internet banking system, the implications are severe as attackers could potentially access user accounts, view financial information, and perform unauthorized transactions. The public disclosure of this exploit through identifier VDB-243132 indicates that threat actors have already developed working payloads, increasing the probability of active exploitation against vulnerable systems.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate remediation and long-term prevention of similar issues. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application, specifically within the pages_system_settings.php file where the vulnerable sys_name parameter is processed. This approach aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross site scripting vulnerabilities and recommends input sanitization as the primary defense mechanism. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution, employ proper HTML escaping for all dynamic content, and conduct regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing. The remediation process should also include comprehensive code review to identify similar patterns in other application files that might be susceptible to the same type of injection attack. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring for unusual activities in the system settings area can help detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and maintaining up-to-date security measures in financial applications where the stakes for user data protection are extremely high. The attack vector represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can create persistent security weaknesses that can be exploited across multiple user sessions.