CVE-2023-5696 in Internet Banking System
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
A vulnerability was found in CodeAstro Internet Banking System 1.0. It has been rated as problematic. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file pages_transfer_money.php. The manipulation of the argument account_number with the input 357146928-->alert(9206)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5696 represents a critical security flaw within the CodeAstro Internet Banking System version 1.0, specifically targeting the pages_transfer_money.php component. This issue manifests as a cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the banking application's transfer functionality. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 which describes cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding. The attack vector involves manipulating the account_number parameter through a specifically crafted input sequence that includes the payload 357146928-->alert(9206), which demonstrates the system's failure to sanitize user inputs before processing them within the transfer operation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application processes the account_number parameter in the pages_transfer_money.php file without adequate input validation or output encoding mechanisms. When an attacker submits the malicious input containing the alert() function call, the system fails to properly escape or filter the data, allowing the script to execute within the context of other users' browsers who view the transfer page. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1566, specifically targeting the initial access phase through malicious input manipulation. The flaw essentially allows for persistent cross-site scripting attacks where the injected JavaScript code can access session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform unauthorized transactions on behalf of victims.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-5696 extends beyond simple script execution, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the banking system's user interactions. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to steal user authentication tokens, monitor banking activities, and potentially execute unauthorized money transfers through the compromised session. The vulnerability affects the core financial transaction functionality of the system, making it particularly dangerous for banking applications where user trust and data security are paramount. Given that this is an internet banking system, the implications include potential financial loss, identity theft, and regulatory compliance violations that could result in significant legal and financial consequences for the organization.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-5696 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening of the CodeAstro Internet Banking System. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application, specifically within the pages_transfer_money.php file and similar components handling user-provided data. Organizations should deploy parameterized queries and input sanitization routines to prevent script injection attacks, while also implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities. Additionally, regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components. The remediation efforts must align with industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks to ensure comprehensive protection against similar cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in the future.