A significant vulnerability has been discovered in the PHPGurukul Art Gallery Management System 1., which has been classified as problematic according to the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) database. This vulnerability, known as CVE-2025-2645, affects an unknown function of the file /product.php and opens the door to possible cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. Should malicious actors become aware of this vulnerability, they can potentially exploit it remotely for their own nefarious purposes. This long read post delves into the technical details of the vulnerability and provides information about the exploit, including code snippets and original references.
Code Snippet: The Vulnerable Function
The vulnerable function can be found within the /product.php file, with the manipulation of the argument artname causing the susceptibility to XSS attacks:
<?php
$artname = $_GET['artname'];
...
echo "The Art Name is: ". $artname. ".";
?>
As demonstrated in the code snippet above, the $artname variable containing user input is not safely sanitized before being echoed back to the user. This lack of sanitization permits attackers to inject malicious code into the output.
Exploit Details
This remote exploit involves an XSS attack, where attackers are capable of inserting malicious scripts into the web application. They use the vulnerable parameter artname and craft a URL that contains their desired script. By tricking unsuspecting users into clicking on the crafted link, the attackers execute their malicious script in the context of the user's current session.
An example of such an attack is shown below
https://target.website.com/product.php?artname=<script>alert('XSS Attack!')</script>
In this example, an alert box displaying the text "XSS Attack!" will appear once a victim clicks the crafted link.
Original References and Disclosure
The vulnerability was initially discovered by a security researcher who responsibly disclosed the information to the PHPGurukul development team. Unfortunately, it has become public knowledge, making it crucial for those utilizing the Art Gallery Management System 1. to apply appropriate security patches.
The original vulnerability disclosure and the CVE database can be accessed through the following links:
- Original Vulnerability Disclosure
- CVE Database Entry: CVE-2025-2645
Mitigation and Protection
To mitigate this vulnerability, developers should employ secure coding practices to ensure user input is properly sanitized. It is recommended that the htmlspecialchars() function be employed to safely encode special characters in user input:
<?php
$artname = htmlspecialchars($_GET['artname'], ENT_QUOTES, 'UTF-8');
...
echo "The Art Name is: ". $artname. ".";
?>
By implementing this change, the risk of an XSS attack exploiting the vulnerable artname parameter is significantly reduced.
Moreover, users of the PHPGurukul Art Gallery Management System 1. should update their software to the latest version as soon as possible, as patches addressing this vulnerability may be released.
Conclusion
CVE-2025-2645 is a troublesome vulnerability in the PHPGurukul Art Gallery Management System 1. that attackers can exploit through the manipulation of the artname parameter. This long read post has provided an in-depth look at the vulnerability, its associated exploit, original references, and potential solutions. It is critical that developers employ safe coding practices, and users stay informed about security issues to ensure their applications remain secure.
Timeline
Published on: 03/23/2025 09:15:16 UTC
Last modified on: 03/24/2025 13:15:27 UTC