CVE-2025-28943 in DP ALTerminator Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/12/2025
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in mylo2h2s DP ALTerminator - Missing ALT manager allows Stored XSS. This issue affects DP ALTerminator - Missing ALT manager: from n/a through 1.0.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the mylo2h2s DP ALTerminator software, specifically within the Missing ALT manager component. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization during web page generation processes, creating an environment where malicious scripts can be persistently stored and subsequently executed in victim browsers. The vulnerability impacts versions ranging from the initial release through 1.0.2, indicating a prolonged exposure window that could allow attackers to develop and deploy sophisticated attack vectors. This stored XSS vulnerability specifically affects the handling of user-supplied input within the ALT attribute management system, where insufficient neutralization allows attackers to inject malicious code that gets stored server-side and executed whenever the affected page is rendered.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a result of improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The flaw manifests when user-provided data containing malicious scripts is processed through the ALT attribute handling mechanism without adequate sanitization or encoding. Attackers can exploit this by submitting crafted payloads through the Missing ALT manager interface, which are then stored in the application's database or configuration files. When legitimate users view pages containing these stored malicious payloads, the scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability's persistence through stored XSS means that the malicious code remains active until manually removed from the system, creating extended attack windows and increasing the potential impact.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within the affected environment. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that even users who are not actively interacting with the malicious content can be compromised, as the payloads execute automatically when the vulnerable web pages are loaded. This characteristic significantly increases the attack surface and makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for applications handling sensitive user data or administrative functions. The vulnerability could enable attackers to escalate privileges, access restricted resources, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. From an attacker perspective, this represents a highly valuable exploit as it allows for long-term persistence and the ability to target multiple users without requiring repeated exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data flow. The primary defense involves ensuring that all user-supplied input, particularly within attribute fields like ALT attributes, undergoes proper sanitization before being stored or rendered. Implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection layers against script execution, while regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. The affected software version should be immediately updated to the latest release containing patches, as the vulnerability affects a specific range of versions that likely contain unaddressed input validation gaps. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious input patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation approach should align with established security frameworks such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar input validation vulnerabilities. Regular penetration testing and vulnerability scanning should be integrated into the security operations to identify and address similar weaknesses across the entire application stack.