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Critical Reflected XSS Vulnerability Discovered in phpIPAM 1.6 (CVE Pending)

2 min readSource: Exploit Database

Security researchers uncover a reflected cross-site scripting flaw in phpIPAM 1.6, enabling attackers to execute malicious scripts in user browsers.

Reflected XSS Flaw Identified in phpIPAM 1.6 Network Management Tool

Security researchers have disclosed a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in phpIPAM 1.6, a widely used open-source IP address management (IPAM) solution. The flaw, cataloged under Exploit-DB ID 52441, allows attackers to inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of a victim's browser session.

Technical Details

The vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization in phpIPAM 1.6, enabling attackers to craft malicious URLs containing JavaScript payloads. When a user clicks on a manipulated link, the script executes within their browser, potentially leading to:

  • Session hijacking (theft of authentication cookies)
  • Credential harvesting (phishing via fake login prompts)
  • Unauthorized actions (e.g., modifying IPAM configurations)

At the time of disclosure, no CVE ID has been assigned, though researchers anticipate one will be issued shortly. The exploit requires user interaction (e.g., clicking a malicious link), classifying it as a non-persistent (reflected) XSS attack.

Impact Analysis

phpIPAM is deployed in enterprise environments to manage IP addresses, subnets, and network devices. A successful XSS attack could compromise:

  • Confidentiality: Exposure of sensitive network data (e.g., IP allocations, VLAN configurations).
  • Integrity: Unauthorized modifications to IPAM records, disrupting network operations.
  • Availability: Potential denial-of-service (DoS) via browser-based attacks.

Organizations using phpIPAM 1.6 are urged to avoid clicking untrusted links and monitor the project’s GitHub repository for patches.

Recommendations

  1. Apply Input Validation: Developers should implement strict input sanitization for all user-supplied data.
  2. Content Security Policy (CSP): Deploy CSP headers to mitigate XSS risks by restricting script execution.
  3. User Awareness: Train staff to recognize phishing attempts and suspicious URLs.
  4. Monitor for Updates: Track phpIPAM’s official channels for security advisories and patches.

For technical details, refer to the original exploit proof-of-concept: Exploit-DB #52441.

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