CVE-2024-8563 in PHP CRUD
Summary
by MITRE • 09/07/2024
A vulnerability was found in SourceCodester PHP CRUD 1.0. It has been classified as problematic. This affects an unknown part of the file /endpoint/update.php. The manipulation of the argument first_name/middle_name/last_name 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2025
This vulnerability resides within the SourceCodester PHP CRUD 1.0 application where improper input validation allows for cross-site scripting attacks through the update.php endpoint. The flaw specifically targets the first_name, middle_name, and last_name parameters that are processed without adequate sanitization or encoding mechanisms. The vulnerability has been classified as problematic due to its potential for remote exploitation and the fact that the exploit has been publicly disclosed, making it immediately available to threat actors. The affected code path processes user-supplied data directly into the application's output without proper context-aware encoding, creating a persistent vector for malicious script injection. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications where untrusted data is improperly handled during output rendering. The attack vector enables remote exploitation as the malicious input can be delivered through web forms or API endpoints without requiring local access to the system. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can potentially allow attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious sites. Given that the exploit has been made public, the window for defensive action is limited, making immediate remediation critical for organizations using this vulnerable software.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input sanitization where user data flows directly from the HTTP request parameters through to the HTML response without proper HTML escaping or context-appropriate encoding. The update.php endpoint likely processes these name parameters and incorporates them into HTML output without validating their content against a whitelist of safe characters or applying appropriate encoding based on the output context. This failure to implement proper input validation and output encoding creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability's classification as remotely exploitable indicates that no authentication is required for the attack to succeed, and the malicious payload can be delivered through standard web browsers. Security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten Project categorize this type of vulnerability under A03:2021 - Injection, specifically highlighting the importance of proper input validation and output encoding to prevent such attacks. The public disclosure of the exploit means that automated scanning tools and malicious actors can readily identify systems running vulnerable versions of this software, significantly increasing the attack surface and potential impact.
Organizations utilizing SourceCodester PHP CRUD 1.0 must implement immediate mitigations to address this cross-site scripting vulnerability. The most effective approach involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data, particularly in the update.php endpoint. This includes implementing whitelist validation for name fields to restrict input to legitimate characters and applying context-appropriate HTML encoding before rendering any user-provided content. The implementation should follow the principle of least privilege where user input is strictly validated against expected formats and sanitized before processing. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts and provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1213 - Data from Information Repositories where attackers can exploit web application vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to user data. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application, as this flaw demonstrates poor input handling practices that may exist elsewhere. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should include updating to the latest version of the software if available, or implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding measures if the software cannot be updated immediately. Given the public nature of the exploit, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for rapid containment and remediation.