MAMP Server Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Scanner

The MAMP Server is a popular local server environment used by developers for running websites and applications on macOS and Windows. It is particularly favored by developers for testing and development purposes due to its ease of setup and comprehensive feature set. MAMP enables developers to set up a personal development environment that includes Apache, MySQL, and PHP, allowing for extensive web development and testing without affecting the live server. The software is widely utilized across educational environments, small businesses, and individual developers due to its adaptability and simplicity in configuration. Its applications come in various tiers, including a free version and a premium version with additional capabilities. Consequently, MAMP serves as a critical tool for creating and testing websites before deploying them in production.

The vulnerability detected is Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), which allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript into web pages viewed by other users. XSS attacks can occur when an application includes untrusted data in a web page without proper validation or escaping. This type of vulnerability can lead to various consequences, such as session hijacking, defacement, or redirecting users to malicious websites. MAMP's default installation includes a file that is vulnerable to XSS attacks, particularly the `/Applications/MAMP/htdocs/index.php` file. Without proper sanitization and encoding, user inputs may be exploited by attackers to execute harmful scripts in the context of the victim's browser. This vulnerability persists in systems that lack sufficient security measures to validate input and output properly.

The vulnerability exists in the MAMP server's installation under the default configuration, specifically in the `/index.php` file. This endpoint is vulnerable as it processes input in a manner that allows the injection of malicious script without appropriate sanitization. When an attacker crafts a URL or input containing JavaScript code, it can be executed directly in the browser of a victim who accesses the affected page. The vulnerable parameter allows an unauthorized attacker to exploit the lack of output encoding and input validation, leading to XSS. This exploitation can be executed without user interaction, as the server fails to filter and escape malicious inputs adequately.

If exploited, this vulnerability could have several severe effects. Attackers can execute arbitrary JavaScript code in users' browsers, which could be used to steal cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information. It may lead to session hijacking where attackers gain unauthorized access to users' accounts. Additionally, attackers could perpetrate phishing attacks or redirect legitimate users to malicious sites to capture credentials or distribute malware. This can undermine user trust, compromise sensitive data, and lead to further security breaches. It could also be leveraged for hostile code execution, potentially compromising the host server.