CVE-2007-0605 in Advanced Guestbook
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in picture.php in Advanced Guestbook 2.4.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the picture parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0605 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Advanced Guestbook 2.4.2 web application. This issue resides in the picture.php script which fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into web page responses. The vulnerability specifically affects the picture parameter, which when manipulated by an attacker can lead to the execution of malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security that has been consistently identified as one of the most prevalent issues in web applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to validate and sanitize the picture parameter received through HTTP requests. When a user submits data through the guestbook interface, the picture parameter is directly included in the HTML response without proper encoding or validation. This allows an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content that will execute in the browsers of other users who view the affected page. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to perform actions on behalf of users, steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even modify the content displayed to other visitors. The flaw demonstrates a lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for website administrators and their visitors. An attacker could exploit this flaw to steal sensitive information from users, perform unauthorized actions on their behalf, or spread malware through infected web pages. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to user sessions, conduct phishing attacks, or use the compromised application as a launching point for further attacks against the broader network. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in guestbook applications where user-generated content is expected and where the application may be used in environments with varying security postures. This type of vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as it enables attackers to deliver malicious payloads through compromised web interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-provided input before processing or displaying it, using context-appropriate encoding methods such as HTML entity encoding for web page content. Additionally, implementing a Content Security Policy (CSP) header can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. The application should also employ proper parameter validation to ensure that the picture parameter conforms to expected formats and lengths. Security patches should be applied immediately to address this vulnerability, as the Advanced Guestbook 2.4.2 version is no longer supported and lacks modern security features. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The remediation process should include thorough code review to ensure that all parameters are properly validated and that output encoding is consistently applied across all user-generated content handling functions.