CVE-2024-44818 in ZZCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/04/2024
Cross Site Scripting vulnerability in ZZCMS v.2023 and before allows a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information via the HTTP_Referer header of the caina.php component.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2025
This cross site scripting vulnerability exists within ZZCMS version 2023 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser. The vulnerability specifically affects the caina.php component and is triggered through manipulation of the HTTP_Referer header, which is commonly used by web applications to track the source of incoming requests. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that can be executed when victims navigate to affected pages, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or other malicious activities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the caina.php component. When the application processes the HTTP_Referer header without proper escaping or filtering mechanisms, it fails to distinguish between legitimate navigation references and malicious script payloads. This weakness creates an environment where attacker-controlled data can be directly embedded into the web application's response, bypassing standard security controls. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross site scripting flaws resulting from insufficient sanitization of user-controllable data in web applications. The attack vector leverages the HTTP_Referer header, which is often used for analytics, logging, and access control purposes, making it a prime target for exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting, session manipulation, and data exfiltration. Attackers can craft malicious Referer headers that contain embedded scripts designed to steal cookies, capture form submissions, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability particularly affects users who rely on the caina.php component for various functionalities, potentially compromising the entire application's security posture. This flaw undermines the principle of least privilege and can enable attackers to escalate their privileges within the application, especially if the affected component handles sensitive administrative functions or user data processing. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering through malicious web content, and T1071.004, which involves application layer protocol manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security enhancements. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding for all user-controllable data, particularly the HTTP_Referer header. Developers should employ context-specific escaping mechanisms to ensure that any data extracted from headers is properly sanitized before being rendered in web responses. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script injection attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Regular security assessments and code reviews should focus on identifying similar vulnerabilities in other components that may process HTTP headers or user input. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious Referer header patterns, while establishing comprehensive monitoring procedures to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to OWASP Top Ten guidelines for preventing cross site scripting attacks, particularly in legacy applications that may not have been designed with modern security considerations in mind.