SourceCodester Expense Tracker App Category add_category.php cross site scripting

Successful exploitation of CVE-2023-5286 allows an attacker to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the Expense Tracker App. This code can then be executed in the context of a victim's browser when they access a crafted URL. The impact ranges from simple defacement of the application's interface to more severe consequences like stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious websites, or even gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data stored within the application. The remote nature of the vulnerability means an attacker doesn't need local access to the server to exploit it.

Organizations and individuals using the SourceCodester Expense Tracker App version 1 are at risk. This includes small businesses and startups utilizing the application for expense tracking. Shared hosting environments are particularly vulnerable, as a compromised account could potentially be used to inject malicious scripts affecting other users on the same server.

• php: Examine the addcategory.php file for improper input sanitization of the categoryname parameter. Search for instances where user-supplied data is directly outputted to the HTML without proper encoding.

// Example of vulnerable code (simplified)
<?php
  $category_name = $_POST['category_name'];
  echo "<p>Category: " . $category_name . "</p>";
?>

• generic web: Monitor access logs for requests containing suspicious characters or patterns in the category_name parameter. Look for unusual URL parameters or POST data. • generic web: Check response headers for signs of XSS payloads being reflected back to the user.

1. 2023-09-29Disclosure

   disclosure

1. 予約済み2023-09-29
2. 公開日2023-09-29
3. 更新日2024-09-23
4. EPSS 更新日2026-04-02

The primary mitigation for CVE-2023-5286 is to upgrade to version 1.0.1 of the Expense Tracker App. This version includes a fix for the vulnerable addcategory.php file. If upgrading immediately is not possible, consider implementing input validation and sanitization on the categoryname parameter to prevent the injection of malicious scripts. While a Web Application Firewall (WAF) might offer some protection, it's not a substitute for patching the application. After upgrading, verify the fix by attempting to inject a simple XSS payload (e.g., <script>alert('XSS')</script>) into the category name field and confirming that it is properly sanitized or blocked.