Security Advisory - Curesec Research Team

1. Introduction

Affected        phplist 3.2.6
Product:
Fixed in:       3.3.1
Fixed Version   https://sourceforge.net/projects/phplist/files/phplist/3.3.1/
Link:           phplist-3.3.1.zip/download
Vendor Website: https://www.phplist.org/
Vulnerability   XSS
Type:
Remote          Yes
Exploitable:
Reported to     01/10/2017
vendor:
Disclosed to    02/20/2017
public:
Release mode:   Coordinated Release
CVE:            n/a (not requested)
Credits         Tim Coen of Curesec GmbH

2. Overview

phplist is an application to manage newsletters, written in PHP. In version
3.2.6, it is vulnerable to Cross Site Scripting.

The application contains one reflected XSS, and multiple persistent XSS
vulnerabilities. The persistent XSS vulnerabilities are only exploitable by
users with specific privileges.

3. Details

Reflected XSS

CVSS: Medium 6.1 CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N

The page parameter is vulnerable to reflected XSS.

Proof of Concept:

https://localhost/lists/admin/?page=send\'\"><script>alert(8)</script>&id=187&tk
=c

Persistent XSS

CVSS: Medium 5.5 CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N

Various components of the administration interface are vulnerable to persistent
XSS. While a user account is required to exploit these issues, they may be used
by less privileged users to escalate their privileges.

Persistent XSS: List Name

The name of a list is echoed in various locations without encoding, leading to
persistent XSS. An account with the privilege to create a list is required.

Add new List: https://localhost/lists/admin/?page=editlist&tk=c as name use :
list'"><img src=no onerror=alert(1)> To trigger the payload, visit - Add new
subscribers to list: https://localhost/lists/admin/?page=importsimple&list=84&tk
=c - Overview of all lists: https://localhost/lists/admin/?page=list&tk=c - List
members of list: https://localhost/lists/admin/?page=members&id=3&tk=c - View
member (loaded as part of the lists tab): https://localhost/lists/admin/?page=
user&id=4 - Creating a Campaign (in step 4): https://localhost/lists/admin/?page
=send&id=2&tk=c&tab=Lists

Persistent XSS: Subscribe Page

Various parameters of the subscribe page - such as the title - are vulnerable
to persistent XSS. An account with the privilege to edit the subscribe page is
required.

Add a new subscribe page: https://localhost/lists/admin/?page=spage as title
use: subscribe'"><img src=no onerror=alert(1)> To trigget the payload: - Visit
the subscribe page: https://localhost/lists/index.php?p=subscribe&id=1 - Visit
the subscribe page overview: https://localhost/lists/admin/?page=spage

Persistent XSS: Bounce Rule

The expression parameter of bounce rules is vulnerable to persistent XSS. An
account with the privilege to edit bounce rules is required.

Add a new bounce rule:https://localhost/lists/admin/?page=bouncerules&type=
active as regular expression use: test'"&ht;<img src=no onerror=alert(1)&ht; To
trigger the payload: - Visit the bounce rule overview: https://localhost/lists/
admin/?page=bouncerules&type=active

4. Solution

To mitigate this issue please upgrade at least to version 3.3.1:

https://sourceforge.net/projects/phplist/files/phplist/3.3.1/phplist-3.3.1.zip/
download

Please note that a newer version might already be available.

5. Report Timeline

01/10/2017 Informed Vendor about Issue
01/16/2017 Vendor confirms
02/15/2017 Asked Vendor to confirm that new release fixes issues
02/15/2017 Vendor confirms
02/20/2017 Disclosed to public


Blog Reference:
https://www.curesec.com/blog/article/blog/phplist-326-XSS-194.html
 
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Curesec GmbH
Curesec Research Team
Josef-Orlopp-StraAe 54
10365 Berlin, Germany