CVE-2025-1169 in Image Compressor Tool
Summary
by MITRE • 02/11/2025
A vulnerability was found in SourceCodester Image Compressor Tool 1.0. It has been rated as problematic. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file /image-compressor/compressor.php. The manipulation of the argument image leads to cross site scripting. The attack may be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2025
This vulnerability exists within the SourceCodester Image Compressor Tool version 1.0, specifically in the file compressor.php which processes image upload functionality. The flaw represents a classic cross site scripting vulnerability that allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into the application's processing pipeline. The vulnerability is triggered when the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the image parameter, which is used to handle uploaded image files. This parameter becomes the attack vector through which malicious code can be executed in the context of the victim's browser when they view the processed image.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross site scripting as a security flaw where untrusted data is incorporated into web page content without proper validation or sanitization. The attack occurs when the application accepts user-supplied image data and directly incorporates it into the output without adequate input filtering or output encoding. This allows attackers to inject malicious javascript payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the affected system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables remote code execution within user browsers without requiring any special privileges or authentication. Attackers can craft malicious image files that contain embedded javascript, which gets executed when other users view the compressed images through the vulnerable application. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple users within the application's user base. The fact that this exploit has been publicly disclosed increases the risk level as threat actors can readily implement the attack without requiring advanced technical knowledge or specialized tools.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the compressor.php file. The application must sanitize all user-supplied image parameters and ensure proper encoding of any data that is incorporated into the application's output. This includes implementing proper content security policies, validating image file types and dimensions, and employing proper output encoding techniques to prevent script execution in the browser context. Additionally, the application should implement proper access controls and limit the functionality of uploaded files to prevent unauthorized code execution. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security testing to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in preventing cross site scripting attacks, as outlined in the mitre ATT&CK framework under the web application security domain.