CVE-2007-0973 in Jupiter CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in index.php in Jupiter CMS 1.1.5 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the Referer HTTP header and certain other HTTP headers, which are displayed without proper sanitization when an administrator performs a Logged Guest action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0973 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Jupiter CMS version 1.1.5 that exposes the system to remote code execution through malicious web script injection. This vulnerability specifically targets the index.php file and demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and output sanitization mechanisms. The flaw operates by leveraging HTTP headers, particularly the Referer header and other HTTP headers, to inject malicious content that gets processed and displayed without adequate security measures. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited by attackers who do not require direct access to the system, instead using indirect methods through web traffic manipulation. The attack vector is facilitated through the logged guest action functionality, which creates a scenario where administrator activities can inadvertently trigger the execution of malicious scripts. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments, as attackers can craft malicious HTTP headers to deliver payloads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the CMS's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied data that originates from HTTP headers. When an administrator performs a logged guest action, the system processes these headers without implementing proper encoding or filtering mechanisms. The Referer header and other HTTP headers are directly incorporated into the page output without validation, creating an environment where malicious scripts can be executed in the context of an administrator's browser session. This allows attackers to potentially steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of administrators, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS attack since the malicious content is reflected back to the user through the application's response, specifically in the context of administrator activities. The flaw demonstrates poor input handling practices and highlights the importance of implementing comprehensive security measures for all user-supplied data, regardless of its source within HTTP requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, creating potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks that could compromise entire administrative sessions. When an administrator interacts with the system, they become vulnerable to executing malicious code that can persist in the browser environment and potentially escalate privileges or access restricted functionality. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal user interaction from the administrator, as the malicious script execution occurs automatically when they perform routine logged guest actions. Attackers can craft specific HTTP headers that, when processed by the vulnerable CMS, will execute malicious JavaScript code within the administrator's browser. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly, potentially allowing attackers to establish backdoors, harvest credentials, or manipulate the CMS functionality. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to data integrity and user privacy, as it can be used to capture sensitive information or redirect users to phishing sites.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0973 must address the core issue of inadequate input sanitization and implement robust security controls throughout the application's processing pipeline. The most immediate solution involves implementing comprehensive header validation and sanitization mechanisms that filter or encode all HTTP header data before it is processed or displayed. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts and ensure that all user-supplied data undergoes proper encoding before being incorporated into web responses. The CMS should be updated to a patched version that addresses this vulnerability, as version 1.1.5 is outdated and no longer supported. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring for unusual HTTP header patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Security measures should include regular input validation, output encoding, and comprehensive testing of all user-supplied data flows. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious header patterns, and establish monitoring protocols that alert on suspicious administrative activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough code review to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application and ensure that all HTTP headers are properly sanitized regardless of their source or intended use within the application.