CVE-2007-0407 in WebGUI
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Operation/User.pm in Plain Black WebGUI before 7.3.5 (beta) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the username parameter during anonymous registration, a different vector than CVE-2007-0308. NOTE: it is possible that a separate "WikiPage titles" issue was also fixed.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0407 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the Plain Black WebGUI content management system prior to version 7.3.5. This security weakness specifically affects the Operation/User.pm component and occurs during the anonymous user registration process when the username parameter is handled without proper input validation or output encoding. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is a critical web application security flaw that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The attack vector is distinct from CVE-2007-0308, indicating that this represents a separate code path within the application's user management functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user input during the registration process. When an anonymous user attempts to register with a specially crafted username parameter containing malicious script code, the application fails to properly escape or filter the input before storing or displaying it. This allows an attacker to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code that will execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected username. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it occurs during user registration, which is a common and expected interaction point in web applications, making it more likely to be exploited in real-world scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and defacement of web content. An attacker could craft a username that, when displayed on user profiles or registration lists, would execute malicious code in visitors' browsers. This could lead to unauthorized access to user accounts, modification of website content, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects the core user management functionality of the WebGUI system, potentially compromising the entire user base that relies on the platform for content management and collaboration. The fact that this issue was addressed in version 7.3.5 demonstrates the severity of the flaw and its potential to be exploited in the wild.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's user input handling processes. The recommended approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied data before storage or display, particularly for parameters used in user-facing contexts such as usernames, profile information, and other editable fields. Organizations should implement proper HTML escaping techniques to prevent script execution when displaying user-generated content. Additionally, the fix should include input length restrictions and character validation to prevent the injection of potentially harmful sequences. The patch released with WebGUI 7.3.5 would have addressed the specific code path in Operation/User.pm, and organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security scanning to detect similar vulnerabilities in other components. The remediation process should follow established security practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for web application security, ensuring that all user input is properly validated and sanitized before being processed or displayed within the application environment.