Critical Reflected XSS Vulnerability Discovered in phpIPAM 1.6 (CVE Pending)
Security researchers uncover a reflected cross-site scripting flaw in phpIPAM 1.6, enabling attackers to execute malicious scripts in users' browsers.
phpIPAM 1.6 Affected by Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Vulnerability
Security researchers have identified a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in phpIPAM version 1.6, a widely used open-source IP address management (IPAM) solution. The flaw, disclosed via Exploit-DB, allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by users, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation.
Technical Details
The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS flaw, meaning the malicious payload is embedded in a URL or input field and executed when a victim interacts with a crafted link. While the original disclosure does not specify the exact attack vector, reflected XSS typically exploits insufficient input validation in web applications.
Key details include:
- Affected Software: phpIPAM 1.6
- Vulnerability Type: Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
- Exploit Availability: Proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit published on Exploit-DB (ID: 52442)
- CVE Assignment: Pending (no CVE ID assigned at the time of disclosure)
Impact Analysis
If successfully exploited, this vulnerability could allow attackers to:
- Execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of a victim’s browser session
- Steal authentication cookies, session tokens, or sensitive data
- Redirect users to malicious websites
- Perform actions on behalf of the victim (e.g., modifying IPAM configurations)
Given phpIPAM’s role in managing network infrastructure, exploitation could have severe consequences for organizations relying on the tool for IP address tracking and subnet management.
Recommendations for Security Teams
- Apply Patches: Monitor the phpIPAM GitHub repository for official patches or security updates.
- Input Sanitization: Implement strict input validation and output encoding to mitigate XSS risks until a fix is available.
- Network Segmentation: Restrict access to phpIPAM instances to trusted networks or VPNs to reduce exposure.
- User Awareness: Train staff to recognize phishing attempts or suspicious links that may exploit this flaw.
- Monitor Exploit Activity: Track exploit attempts using web application firewalls (WAFs) or intrusion detection systems (IDS).
Security professionals are advised to review the Exploit-DB entry for technical indicators and PoC details. A CVE assignment is expected to follow, which will provide additional tracking and remediation guidance.