CVE-2017-7944 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

XOOPS Core 2.5.8.1 has a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability due to unescaped HTML output in the page_dbsettings.php file.

Understanding CVE-2017-7944

This CVE entry discloses a specific XSS vulnerability in XOOPS Core 2.5.8.1.

What is CVE-2017-7944?

The XSS vulnerability in XOOPS Core 2.5.8.1 arises from unescaped HTML in an error message related to Install DB failure in the page_dbsettings.php file.

The Impact of CVE-2017-7944

This vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute malicious scripts in the context of a user's browser, potentially leading to various attacks such as session hijacking or defacement.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-7944

XOOPS Core 2.5.8.1 is affected by this XSS vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from unescaped HTML output in the error message concerning Install DB failure in page_dbsettings.php.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: XOOPS Core 2.5.8.1

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by injecting malicious scripts into the error message output, which, when rendered in a user's browser, can execute unauthorized actions.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-7944, follow these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks.
Regularly monitor and update the XOOPS Core to the latest secure version.

Long-Term Security Practices

Educate developers on secure coding practices to avoid introducing XSS vulnerabilities.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and remediate potential security flaws.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches or updates released by the XOOPS Core project to fix the XSS vulnerability.