CVE-2023-7166 in Novel-Plus
Summary
by MITRE • 12/29/2023
A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in Novel-Plus up to 4.2.0. This affects an unknown part of the file /user/updateUserInfo of the component HTTP POST Request Handler. The manipulation of the argument nickName leads to cross site scripting. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier of the patch is c62da9bb3a9b3603014d0edb436146512631100d. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue. The identifier VDB-249201 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2024
This vulnerability exists within the Novel-Plus web application version 4.2.0 and earlier, specifically affecting the HTTP POST Request Handler component responsible for user information updates. The flaw resides in the /user/updateUserInfo endpoint where the nickName parameter is processed without adequate input validation or output sanitization. This cross-site scripting vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into user profiles, which can then be executed when other users view the affected content. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables remote exploitation, meaning attackers can initiate attacks from outside the network without requiring local access or user interaction beyond visiting the compromised page.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input in the nickName field. When users submit profile updates through the HTTP POST request handler, the system fails to properly validate or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This allows malicious actors to inject script tags or other malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is classified as a classic reflected XSS issue where the malicious input is immediately reflected back to users without proper encoding or validation. According to CWE-79, this represents a weakness in input validation that enables cross-site scripting attacks, which can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the application's ecosystem. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even modify user permissions if the application lacks proper access controls. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target users without needing physical access to the system or knowledge of specific user credentials. This makes the attack surface particularly broad, as any user with access to the updateUserInfo endpoint could become a vector for malicious activity. The disclosed exploit code in VDB-249201 indicates that this vulnerability has already been weaponized by threat actors, increasing the urgency for remediation.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch application as recommended, utilizing the provided patch identifier c62da9bb3a9b3603014d0edb436146512631100d to ensure proper code fixes are implemented. Additionally, implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures is essential for preventing similar vulnerabilities in the future. The application should sanitize all user inputs, particularly those that are reflected back to users, using proper HTML entity encoding or Content Security Policy headers to prevent script execution. Organizations should also consider implementing Web Application Firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, while establishing regular security testing procedures including automated scanning and manual penetration testing to identify potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by attackers. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a web application attack vector under the T1190 technique for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, highlighting the importance of maintaining up-to-date security measures and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to protect against such threats.