Source: cve@mitre.org
PHPJabbers PHP Newsletter Script 4.2 has stored XSS in lists in the admin panel.
PHPJabbers PHP Newsletter Script 4.2 is vulnerable to stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code into the application. This vulnerability enables attackers to compromise administrator accounts, potentially leading to complete control of the application and the ability to steal sensitive data or deface the website. Successful exploitation requires an attacker to have access to the admin panel, making it a high-severity vulnerability for targeted attacks.
Step 1: Payload Delivery: An attacker logs into the admin panel of the vulnerable PHPJabbers PHP Newsletter Script 4.2.
Step 2: List Creation/Modification: The attacker crafts a malicious payload containing JavaScript (e.g., <script>alert('XSS')</script>) and inserts it into the name or description field when creating or modifying a list.
Step 3: Payload Storage: The application stores the malicious payload in the database without proper sanitization.
Step 4: Admin Panel Access: An administrator views the list within the admin panel.
Step 5: Payload Execution: The application retrieves the list data, including the attacker's injected JavaScript, from the database and renders it in the administrator's browser. The browser executes the JavaScript payload.
Step 6: Exploitation: The injected JavaScript executes, potentially allowing the attacker to steal the administrator's session cookies, redirect the administrator to a phishing site, or perform other malicious actions.
The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the PHPJabbers PHP Newsletter Script 4.2, specifically within the functionality related to managing lists in the admin panel. The application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input when creating or modifying lists. This allows an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code into list names or descriptions. When an administrator views the list, the injected JavaScript executes in their browser, leading to the XSS vulnerability. The root cause is a lack of proper input validation and output encoding (e.g., HTML escaping) of user-supplied data before it is stored in the database and subsequently displayed in the admin panel. The application trusts user input without proper sanitization, allowing for the injection of arbitrary HTML and JavaScript.
There is no specific APT or malware directly linked to this CVE. However, any attacker with access to the admin panel could exploit this vulnerability. The impact of this vulnerability is high, and it could be used in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to achieve a broader compromise. CISA KEV status: Not Listed
Monitor web server logs for suspicious activity, such as unusual HTTP requests to the admin panel.
Analyze HTTP requests for the presence of JavaScript code within list names or descriptions.
Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block XSS payloads.
Monitor for changes in administrator accounts or unexpected behavior in the admin panel.
Review database entries for list names and descriptions for malicious HTML or JavaScript code.
Upgrade to a patched version of the PHPJabbers PHP Newsletter Script (if available).
Implement proper input validation to sanitize all user-supplied data, especially in the admin panel.
Implement output encoding (e.g., HTML escaping) to prevent the execution of malicious code when displaying user-supplied data.
Use a Content Security Policy (CSP) to restrict the execution of JavaScript from untrusted sources.
Regularly scan the application for vulnerabilities using a web vulnerability scanner.
Review and harden the web server configuration to mitigate potential attacks.