CVE-2020-10391 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Chadha PHPKB Standard Multi-Language 9 allows Reflected XSS in admin/add-article.php through manipulation of URIs in admin/header.php.

Understanding CVE-2020-10391

What is CVE-2020-10391?

The vulnerability in Chadha PHPKB Standard Multi-Language 9 enables attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML via URIs.

The Impact of CVE-2020-10391

This vulnerability allows for Reflected XSS, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, and further exploitation of the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-10391

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from improper handling of URIs in admin/header.php, which can be exploited by appending a question mark (?) and a malicious payload in admin/add-article.php.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Chadha PHPKB Standard Multi-Language 9
Vendor: Chadha
Version: All versions are affected

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a URI with a payload appended after a question mark (?), leading to the execution of malicious scripts.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement input validation to sanitize user-supplied data in URIs.
Regularly monitor and analyze web traffic for suspicious activities.
Apply security patches and updates promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Educate users and administrators about safe browsing practices and the risks of XSS attacks.
Utilize web application firewalls to filter and block malicious traffic.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the Chadha PHPKB Standard Multi-Language 9 software is updated to the latest version that includes fixes for the XSS vulnerability.