1. Introduction
The paBox pabox.php posticon Parameter XSS vulnerability allows an attacker to inject malicious code into a web page viewed by other users. This can lead to stealing user cookies and controlling the application’s appearance, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the paBox application. It typically affects websites running the vulnerable version of paBox.
2. Technical Explanation
The vulnerability occurs because paBox does not properly check data entered into the ‘posticon’ parameter when selecting a ‘smilie’ for a post. An attacker can use this to insert HTML and JavaScript code. This code then runs in another user’s browser when they view the affected post. The Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) identifiers associated with this flaw are 20, 442, 629, 711, 712, 722, 725, 74, 750, 751, 79, 800, 801, 809, 811, 864, 900, 928, 931 and 990.
- Root cause: Missing input validation on the ‘posticon’ parameter in the pabox.php script.
- Exploit mechanism: An attacker crafts a malicious URL with harmful code within the ‘posticon’ parameter. When a user visits this link, the injected code executes in their browser. For example:
http://example.com/pabox.php?posticon= - Scope: paBox web application running on PHP-enabled servers. Affected versions are not specifically detailed in available information.
3. Detection and Assessment
To confirm vulnerability, check the installed paBox version first. Then attempt to inject a simple XSS payload through the ‘posticon’ parameter.
- Quick checks: Accessing the paBox application’s UI may display the version number in the footer or ‘About’ section.
- Scanning: Nessus, OpenVAS and other web scanners may identify this vulnerability using signature ID 393156 (example only).
- Logs and evidence: Examine web server access logs for requests containing suspicious code within the ‘posticon’ parameter. Look for patterns like `