CVE-2007-1473 in Application Framework
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in framework/NLS/NLS.php in Horde Framework before 3.1.4 RC1, when the login page contains a language selection box, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the new_lang parameter to login.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1473 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Horde Framework's internationalization subsystem. This weakness specifically affects versions prior to 3.1.4 RC1 and manifests when the login page incorporates a language selection interface. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data within the new_lang parameter of the login.php script, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML content in the context of other users' browsers. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it targets the login page, which is one of the most critical entry points for web applications, potentially allowing attackers to capture credentials or escalate privileges through session hijacking techniques.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting malicious input through the language selection parameter that gets reflected back to users without proper sanitization. When a user navigates to the login page with a crafted new_lang parameter, the framework fails to properly escape or validate the input before rendering it in the HTML output. This creates an XSS condition where attacker-controlled content can be executed in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session theft, defacement, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, which directly aligns with the fundamental principles of secure coding practices that mandate proper input validation and output encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the context of the affected application. Attackers can craft payloads that exploit the XSS condition to steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even inject malicious scripts that persist across user sessions. The fact that this affects the login page makes it particularly dangerous because it can be used to intercept authentication credentials or manipulate the authentication flow itself. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability represents a low-effort, high-impact entry point that can provide unauthorized access to the entire application ecosystem. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes social engineering tactics involving the manipulation of user interactions to gain access to systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Horde Framework's internationalization handling code. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input, particularly parameters that are directly reflected in HTML output, through proper HTML escaping techniques before rendering them in the browser context. Security patches for this vulnerability typically involve updating to Horde Framework version 3.1.4 RC1 or later, which includes fixes for the input validation issues in the NLS.php file. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers of their applications, including the use of Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution, and regular security code reviews to identify similar patterns that might introduce XSS vulnerabilities in other parts of the application stack.