Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities remain one of the most exploited holes in web applications today. In this article, we take an exclusive look at CVE-2022-43144—an XSS bug discovered in Canteen Management System v1.—and break down what it means, how it’s exploited, and how you can fix it.
What is CVE-2022-43144?
CVE-2022-43144 is an identifier given to a specific XSS flaw in the Canteen Management System (CMS) version 1.. Successful exploitation allows an attacker to inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript or HTML code in a victim's browser. This can lead to stolen cookies, session tokens, or even a full account takeover.
Here’s how the vulnerability was described in the NVD database:
> *A cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Canteen Management System v1. allows attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML via a crafted payload.*
How Does the Vulnerability Work?
The bug exists because the application improperly sanitizes user-provided input before reflecting it on the page. Let’s simplify the scenario:
1. An attacker inputs a malicious JavaScript payload in a web form field (such as the name field for an order).
2. The application displays this input on another page (like an order summary) without proper HTML encoding or sanitization.
Suppose the following PHP code was used in the affected system
<?php
// Assume this is inside order-summary.php
$name = $_GET['name'];
echo "<p>Thank you, $name, for your order!</p>";
?>
If a user visits
http://example.com/order-summary.php?name=<script>alert('XSS')</script>;
The page would show
<p>Thank you, <script>alert('XSS')</script>, for your order!</p>
And the user's browser would display an alert box—proof the XSS worked.
`html
alert('XSS')
Send the link to a victim or submit the form.
4. When the page loads, the JavaScript executes, showing this as a pop-up or stealing data (real attackers might use AJAX to send cookies or session tokens to a remote server).
Example URL
http://localhost/canteen/order-summary.php?name=<script>alert('XSS')</script>;
Defacement
- Redirection to phishing/malicious sites
Always encode data before displaying it in the browser. In PHP, use
echo htmlspecialchars($name, ENT_QUOTES, 'UTF-8');
2. Use Security Libraries/Frameworks
Many frameworks (like Laravel or Django) automatically escape output. Stick to secure frameworks when possible.
3. Validate Input
While encoding output is most important, also validate and filter user input.
4. Test for XSS
Regularly test your application with automated and manual tools like OWASP ZAP or Burp Suite.
References
- CVE-2022-43144 - NVD
- Exploit Database 51244
- OWASP XSS Prevention Cheat Sheet
Conclusion
CVE-2022-43144 is a textbook example of the dangers of not handling user input properly. Cross-site scripting can have severe consequences, but is also one of the easiest vulnerabilities to prevent with proper hygiene. If you run or develop a Canteen Management System—or any PHP application—review your code for unsafe outputs and implement the best practices shared in this writeup.
Timeline
Published on: 11/08/2022 23:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 11/09/2022 17:27:00 UTC