CVE-2023-6896 in Simple Image Stack Website
Summary
by MITRE • 12/17/2023
A vulnerability was found in SourceCodester Simple Image Stack Website 1.0. It has been rated as problematic. This issue affects some unknown processing. The manipulation of the argument search with the input sy2ap%22%3e%3cscript%3ealert(1)%3c%2fscript%3etkxh1 leads to cross site scripting. The attack may be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-248255.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-6896 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw within the SourceCodester Simple Image Stack Website version 1.0 platform. This security weakness resides in the application's input processing mechanisms, specifically when handling search parameters that contain malicious payloads. The vulnerability has been classified with a problematic rating due to its potential for significant exploitation and the ease with which attackers can leverage it to compromise user sessions and execute unauthorized code within victim browsers. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamic web content, creating an environment where malicious scripts can be injected and executed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic XSS attack vector where the attacker crafts a malicious input string containing encoded script tags that bypass the application's validation controls. The specific payload sy2ap%22%3e%3cscript%3ealert(1)%3c%2fscript%3etkxh1 represents a carefully constructed parameter that, when processed by the vulnerable application, results in the injection of javascript code into the web page response. This payload utilizes URL encoding to obfuscate the malicious content while maintaining its effectiveness when decoded by the web application. The attack requires no authentication and can be initiated remotely through standard web browser interactions, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone who accesses the vulnerable website. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross site scripting vulnerabilities in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to encompass potential session hijacking, data theft, and privilege escalation within the affected application environment. When successful, the XSS attack allows threat actors to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or inject additional malicious code that could persist across multiple user sessions. The public disclosure of this exploit through VDB-248255 indicates that security researchers and malicious actors have already identified and documented the vulnerability, increasing the risk of active exploitation. Organizations running this version of the Simple Image Stack Website are exposed to potential data breaches, user privacy violations, and reputational damage. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system, making it a particularly attractive target for automated exploitation campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-6896 should prioritize immediate patching of the vulnerable application to the latest version that addresses the XSS vulnerability. System administrators must implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before it is processed or displayed to other users. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting script execution within the application environment. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications within the organization's infrastructure. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering tactics, specifically focusing on the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems and user data. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and block malicious traffic patterns associated with known XSS attack vectors.