CVE-2007-0249 in Nwom topsites
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in Nwom topsites 3.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the o parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-0249 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Nwom topsites 3.0 web application, specifically targeting the index.php script. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of injection attacks and is classified as CWE-79 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which details the weakness of allowing untrusted data to be executed as code within a web application. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize or validate user input received through the o parameter, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the o parameter within the index.php script, which serves as an entry point for attackers to inject malicious code. When a user visits a compromised page or interacts with the vulnerable application, the injected script executes in the context of the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote attackers to execute code without requiring any authentication or privileged access, making it a severe threat to web application security. This flaw demonstrates a lack of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's codebase.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including credential theft, session manipulation, and data exfiltration from users interacting with the compromised site. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal technical skill to exploit, making it attractive to a wide range of threat actors including automated exploit tools. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the web application and its users, potentially leading to complete compromise of user sessions and unauthorized access to sensitive information. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to the T1059.001 technique for command and scripting interpreter, specifically focusing on the execution of malicious scripts through web application vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0249 should prioritize immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding measures to prevent the injection of malicious content. The application should implement proper sanitization of all user-supplied input, particularly parameters like the o parameter, through the use of allowlists or strict validation rules that reject potentially dangerous characters and patterns. Additionally, developers should employ proper output encoding techniques when rendering user data within web pages to ensure that any injected scripts are treated as literal text rather than executable code. The remediation process should also include comprehensive code review and security testing to identify similar vulnerabilities throughout the application, with a focus on implementing secure coding practices that align with industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and the Secure Coding practices recommended by NIST. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection against similar injection attacks.