CVE-2024-24574 in phpMyFAQ
Summary
by MITRE • 02/05/2024
phpMyFAQ is an open source FAQ web application for PHP 8.1+ and MySQL, PostgreSQL and other databases. Unsafe echo of filename in phpMyFAQ\phpmyfaq\admin\attachments.php leads to allowed execution of JavaScript code in client side (XSS). This vulnerability has been patched in version 3.2.5.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-24574 affects phpMyFAQ, a widely used open source FAQ web application that supports PHP 8.1+ environments with various database backends including MySQL and PostgreSQL. This security flaw resides within the administrative attachments management component of the application, specifically in the file phpmyfaq/admin/attachments.php where improper input validation occurs during the rendering of file names. The vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting issue that allows malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially compromising the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data processed through the application interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from unsafe echo operations where user-provided file names are directly rendered into HTML output without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms. When administrators or authorized users navigate to the attachments management section and view file listings, the application fails to properly escape special characters within file names that could contain malicious script payloads. This flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored XSS vulnerability where the malicious code persists in the application's data storage and executes whenever the affected page is loaded. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the administrative context of the application, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or execute commands with elevated permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, data theft, and privilege escalation attacks within the phpMyFAQ environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could inject malicious JavaScript that captures user credentials, modifies administrative settings, or redirects users to phishing sites. The attack vector requires minimal user interaction since the malicious code executes automatically when the vulnerable page is accessed, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators regularly access the attachments management interface. According to ATT&CK framework category T1531, this vulnerability could be leveraged for privilege escalation through session manipulation, while T1211 represents the potential for credential access through client-side attacks.
Security practitioners should immediately upgrade to phpMyFAQ version 3.2.5 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms to prevent the injection of malicious scripts. The patch addresses the core issue by implementing proper HTML entity encoding for file names before rendering them in the user interface, ensuring that any potentially malicious JavaScript code is neutralized before execution. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious script payloads, regular security scanning of the application environment, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to administrative sections. Network segmentation and least privilege access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while regular security training for administrators can help prevent social engineering attacks that might leverage this vulnerability. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly those handling user-generated content in administrative interfaces where the attack surface can be significantly expanded due to elevated user privileges.