GHSA-q9j3-4ghj-6h57: Codeigniter/framework Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability

MODERATE
Share
CVSS 4.7
CWE-79
Published
Advisory Summary

GHSA-q9j3-4ghj-6h57 is a MODERATE (CVSS 4.7) cross-site scripting vulnerability (CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')) affecting Codeigniter/framework libraries in the Packagist ecosystem. The issue involves inadequate xss prevention in codeigniter/framework security library. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 3.0.3.

GHSA-q9j3-4ghj-6h57 at a Glance

CVE Identifier N/A
GHSA Identifier GHSA-q9j3-4ghj-6h57
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 4.7
CWE Classification CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
Affected Product Codeigniter/framework
Package Ecosystem Packagist
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 4.7

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:N).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required None (PR:N)
User Interaction Required (UI:R)
Scope Changed (S:C)
Confidentiality None (C:N)
Integrity Low (I:L)
Availability None (A:N)

How to Fix GHSA-q9j3-4ghj-6h57

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Codeigniter/framework dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

codeigniter/framework fixed: 3.0.3 
Upgrade codeigniter/framework to 3.0.3
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

inspect dependencies for codeigniter/framework

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your application is affected by GHSA-q9j3-4ghj-6h57, inspect your project dependencies for Codeigniter/framework:

inspect dependencies for codeigniter/framework

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Codeigniter/framework in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 3.0.3), your application is affected.

Note: Verify declared build manifests and deployed runtime container environments.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting'), where the product does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes user-controllable input before it is placed in output that is used as a web page that is served to other users. In Codeigniter/framework, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

The xss_clean() method in the Security Library of CodeIgniter/Framework, specifically in versions before 3.0.3, exhibited a vulnerability that allowed certain Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vectors to bypass its intended protection mechanisms. The xss_clean() method is designed to sanitize input data by removing potentially malicious content, thus preventing XSS attacks. However, in versions prior to 3.0.3, it was discovered that the method did not adequately mitigate specific XSS vectors, leaving a potential security gap.

GHSA-q9j3-4ghj-6h57 Affected Codeigniter/framework Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
3.0.3
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
codeigniter/framework
 Packagist
< 3.0.3
3.0.3

References

Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/bcit-ci/CodeIgniter/commit/71b1b3f5b2dcc0f4b652e9494e9853b82541ac8c
Codeigniter/framework Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/FriendsOfPHP/security-advisories/blob/master/codeigniter/framework/2015-10-31-1.yaml
Codeigniter/framework Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/bcit-ci/CodeIgniter
www.codeigniter.com/user_guide/changelo... WEB
https://www.codeigniter.com/user_guide/changelog.html#version-3-0-3

Frequently Asked Questions

What is GHSA-q9j3-4ghj-6h57?
GHSA-q9j3-4ghj-6h57 is a security vulnerability in Codeigniter/framework involving Inadequate XSS Prevention in CodeIgniter/Framework Security Library under CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting').
Which Codeigniter/framework versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 3.0.3 across affected packages: codeigniter/framework.
What version fixes GHSA-q9j3-4ghj-6h57?
Upgrading to 3.0.3 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is codeigniter/framework affected?
Yes, codeigniter/framework is affected in releases prior to 3.0.3. Upgrade your dependency to 3.0.3 or later.
What is the CVSS score of GHSA-q9j3-4ghj-6h57?
GHSA-q9j3-4ghj-6h57 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 4.7 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:N.
What CWE is associated with GHSA-q9j3-4ghj-6h57?
GHSA-q9j3-4ghj-6h57 is classified under CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') (The product does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes user-controllable input before it is placed in output that is used as a web page that is served to other users.).
How can I check Packagist dependencies for GHSA-q9j3-4ghj-6h57?
Run the dependency tree command: 'inspect dependencies for codeigniter/framework'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-q9j3-4ghj-6h57",
  "modified" : "2024-05-15T18:08:27Z",
  "published" : "2024-05-15T18:08:27Z",
  "aliases" : [ ],
  "summary" : "Inadequate XSS Prevention in CodeIgniter/Framework Security Library",
  "details" : "The xss_clean() method in the Security Library of CodeIgniter/Framework, specifically in versions before 3.0.3, exhibited a vulnerability that allowed certain Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vectors to bypass its intended protection mechanisms.\n\nThe xss_clean() method is designed to sanitize input data by removing potentially malicious content, thus preventing XSS attacks. However, in versions prior to 3.0.3, it was discovered that the method did not adequately mitigate specific XSS vectors, leaving a potential security gap.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Packagist",
      "name" : "codeigniter/framework"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.0.3"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/bcit-ci/CodeIgniter/commit/71b1b3f5b2dcc0f4b652e9494e9853b82541ac8c"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/FriendsOfPHP/security-advisories/blob/master/codeigniter/framework/2015-10-31-1.yaml"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/bcit-ci/CodeIgniter"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.codeigniter.com/user_guide/changelog.html#version-3-0-3"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-79" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2024-05-15T18:08:27Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : null
  }
}