CVE-2007-0549 in 212cafeBoard
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in list3.php in 212cafeBoard 6.30 Beta allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the user parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2018
The CVE-2007-0549 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the 212cafeBoard 6.30 Beta web application, specifically within the list3.php script. This vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. The affected parameter named 'user' creates an exploitable entry point where malicious actors can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code, potentially compromising the security of users interacting with the vulnerable application.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical security weakness in web applications. The flaw operates by allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads through the user parameter, which then gets rendered in the web page without proper sanitization. When other users browse pages that contain the injected script, their browsers execute the malicious code within their context, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the victim's browser environment. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in the application's security architecture to properly handle untrusted input data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities through the compromised web application. An attacker could craft malicious payloads that steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even modify the content displayed to users in real-time. The remote nature of this attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system or direct network interaction with the vulnerable server itself. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the 212cafeBoard application, potentially compromising user privacy and data integrity across all forums and discussions hosted by the vulnerable system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0549 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input before processing or displaying it, particularly in dynamic content generation scenarios. Implementing proper HTML entity encoding for all output data prevents malicious scripts from executing in the user's browser context. Additionally, developers should employ Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution and implement proper parameter validation to reject or sanitize potentially dangerous input patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits and code reviews to identify and remediate similar issues in web applications. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation frameworks as additional protective measures against similar cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, aligning with industry best practices for secure web development and the ATT&CK framework's mitigation strategies for web-based attacks.