CVE-2024-47925 in TCExam
Summary
by MITRE • 12/30/2024
Tecnick TCExam – Multiple CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-47925 affects Tecnick TCExam, a widely used open-source examination system designed for online testing and assessment. This application suffers from multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities classified under CWE-79, which represents one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages, creating opportunities for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the application's output. The TCExam platform, which serves educational institutions and organizations requiring secure examination environments, becomes susceptible to attacks that can compromise user sessions and data integrity.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's web page generation process. When users submit data through various input fields, forms, or parameters, the system does not adequately neutralize potentially malicious content before rendering it in HTML contexts. This weakness allows attackers to craft specially crafted payloads that exploit the XSS vulnerability, enabling them to execute scripts in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability exists across multiple components of the application where user-supplied data is displayed without proper sanitization, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect various functional areas including user management, exam creation, and result display modules. The lack of consistent security controls throughout the application's codebase creates multiple attack vectors for exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking. Attackers can leverage the XSS flaw to perform authenticated actions on behalf of victims, potentially accessing sensitive examination data, modifying test parameters, or manipulating exam results. In educational environments, this could lead to academic dishonesty, unauthorized access to exam materials, or complete compromise of the assessment system's integrity. The vulnerability also poses risks to the application's overall security posture, as successful exploitation could provide attackers with a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure. Organizations using TCExam may face regulatory compliance issues, reputational damage, and potential legal consequences if examination data is compromised. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple components means that even partial exploitation can yield significant impact, as attackers can target different parts of the system to achieve their objectives.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-47925 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding controls throughout the application. Organizations should immediately apply available patches or updates from the vendor to address the identified XSS vulnerabilities. Implementing proper content security policies can help prevent execution of unauthorized scripts even if exploitation occurs. The application should enforce strict input sanitization using established libraries and frameworks that properly encode data for different output contexts including HTML, JavaScript, and URL contexts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. The implementation of proper security training for developers working with the TCExam platform is crucial to prevent similar issues in future modifications or extensions. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious links and T1059.007 for command and control through script execution, highlighting the multi-layered nature of the threat.