CVE-2024-1111 in QR Code Login System
Summary
by MITRE • 01/31/2024
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in SourceCodester QR Code Login System 1.0. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file add-user.php. The manipulation of the argument qr-code leads to cross site scripting. The attack may be launched remotely. VDB-252470 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2024
This vulnerability exists within the SourceCodester QR Code Login System version 1.0, specifically affecting the add-user.php file where improper input validation allows for cross-site scripting attacks through manipulation of the qr-code parameter. The flaw represents a classic client-side injection vulnerability that enables attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is classified as remotely exploitable, meaning that threat actors can trigger the malicious code without requiring physical access to the target system or network. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category for cross-site scripting, which is one of the most prevalent web application security flaws documented in the CWE database. The attack vector specifically targets the qr-code argument processing within the add-user.php script, indicating that user-supplied data is not being properly sanitized or validated before being rendered back to the browser.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, deface web pages, or redirect users to malicious sites. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can leverage this flaw from any location with internet access, making the attack surface significantly larger than local vulnerabilities. When an authenticated user visits a page that processes the malicious qr-code parameter, the injected script executes in their browser context, potentially compromising their session cookies, personal data, or system access. This vulnerability represents a serious threat to user privacy and system integrity, particularly in environments where the QR code login system handles sensitive authentication data. The attack can be orchestrated through various means including phishing campaigns, compromised web pages, or direct exploitation of the vulnerable parameter in API calls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application code. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user-provided input, particularly the qr-code parameter, before processing or rendering it within the web interface. This approach aligns with the OWASP Top Ten security controls and follows the principle of least privilege in web application development. Developers should implement proper content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution and ensure that all data flowing through the application is validated against a strict set of acceptable patterns. Additionally, the system should employ proper encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding for any user-supplied data that is displayed in web pages. Regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. The vulnerability should also be addressed through timely patch management and security updates to prevent exploitation by threat actors who may be actively scanning for this specific flaw in the wild. Organizations utilizing this system should consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring solutions to detect and block exploitation attempts.