CVE-2007-0553 in PHProxy
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in index.inc.php in PHProxy before 0.5 beta 2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) data[realm] and (2) _url parameters, different vectors than CVE-2004-2604. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0553 represents a significant security flaw in PHProxy versions prior to 0.5 beta 2, specifically within the index.inc.php script. This cross-site scripting vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data, creating exploitable entry points for malicious actors. The flaw manifests through two distinct parameter injection vectors, namely data[realm] and _url, which together create multiple pathways for attackers to execute malicious code within the context of a victim's browser session. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects a proxy application that is designed to provide secure web browsing capabilities, thereby undermining its core security purpose.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the application's failure to properly sanitize or escape user input before incorporating it into dynamic web content. When users provide input through the data[realm] or _url parameters, the application processes this data without adequate validation, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, and falls under the broader category of CWE-116, representing improper encoding or escaping of output. The attack vectors differ from CVE-2004-2604, indicating that while similar in nature, this vulnerability represents a distinct implementation flaw within the PHProxy application's input handling mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. An attacker could exploit these parameters to inject scripts that steal cookies, capture user input, or redirect victims to phishing sites, effectively compromising the security of all users interacting with the vulnerable proxy service. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be accomplished through simple web requests, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the proxy is widely used. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1059.007 for scripting and T1531 for credential access, as it enables attackers to execute code and potentially harvest sensitive information from users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0553 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should upgrade to PHProxy version 0.5 beta 2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address these vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing comprehensive input sanitization routines that validate and escape all user-supplied data before processing is essential. The solution should include proper HTML entity encoding for all output, input validation using allowlists rather than blocklists, and implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Security teams should also consider deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads targeting these specific parameters, while conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The remediation process must also include proper security training for developers to prevent similar issues in future code implementations, ensuring that input validation is treated as a fundamental security requirement rather than an afterthought in the development lifecycle.