CVE-2023-43884: Exploring the Cross-site Scripting Vulnerability in Subrion v4.2.1 Transactions Panel's 'Reference ID' Parameter

Security researchers have recently identified a critical Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability, catalogued as CVE-2023-43884, in Subrion, which is an open-source content management system (CMS) used for building websites and applications. The vulnerability affects version 4.2.1 of Subrion, specifically within the Transactions Panel under the Reference ID parameter.

Overview of the Vulnerability

Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities are weaknesses in web applications that allow attackers to inject malicious scripts or arbitrary HTML code into pages viewed by users. In this case, the vulnerability resides in the Reference ID parameter from the Transactions Panel in Subrion v4.2.1. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting a crafted payload into the 'Reference ID' parameter, thereby executing arbitrary web scripts or HTML in the context of the victim user's browser.

- CWE-79: Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability: Link
- CVE-2023-43884: Link

Code Snippet Demonstrating the Vulnerability

The following code snippet demonstrates the vulnerability present in the 'Reference ID' parameter within the Transactions Panel of Subrion v4.2.1:

// Attack scenario: Assume a malicious user injects the following payload into the 'Reference ID' parameter
// Payload: <script>alert("XSS Vulnerability Detected!")</script>

// The following code represents how the Subrion application renders the 'Reference ID' parameter:

// transactions_panel.php (fictional file)
...
<td><?= $transaction['reference_id']; ?></td> // The 'Reference ID' is directly embedded into the page without proper validation or escaping
...

Upon injecting this payload, the browser will interpret it as a valid script and execute it, resulting in a display of an alert box with the message "XSS Vulnerability Detected!".

How the Exploit Works

1. An attacker crafts an XSS payload, such as <script>alert("XSS Vulnerability Detected!")</script>, which is designed to execute a script in the user's browser.
2. The attacker injects the payload into the 'Reference ID' parameter within the Transactions Panel of Subrion v4.2.1.
3. Subrion then displays the Transactions Panel page containing the malicious payload in the 'Reference ID' parameter to an unsuspecting user.
4. The user's browser interprets the payload as valid script and executes it, potentially leading to a compromise of personal and sensitive information or even control of the user's entire browser session.

Mitigations and Recommendations

As of now, there has not been an official patch released by the Subrion development team for this vulnerability. However, there are some steps website owners and administrators can take to reduce the risk of exploit:

Always keep your CMS and associated plugins up-to-date with the latest security patches.

2. Make sure user inputs are properly validated and escaped, especially in sensitive areas like the Transactions Panel.
3. Implement proper Content Security Policies (CSP) headers to limit which scripts can run on your website.
4. Consider employing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to help prevent XSS and other types of attack attempts.

Conclusion

CVE-2023-43884 demonstrates a critical Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Reference ID parameter from the Transactions Panel in Subrion v4.2.1. By injecting a crafted payload into this parameter, an attacker can execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML in the context of the victim user's browser, potentially causing data breaches and other severe consequences. Until an official patch is released, it's crucial for website administrators using Subrion v4.2.1 to be aware of this vulnerability and consider implementing mitigations to protect their users' data.

Timeline

Published on: 09/28/2023 15:15:12 UTC
Last modified on: 09/29/2023 16:27:23 UTC