CVE-2007-1576 in PHProjekt
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in PHProjekt 5.2.0, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors to the (1) Projects, (2) Contacts, (3) Helpdesk, (4) Search (only Gecko engine driven Browsers), and (5) Notes modules; the (6) Mail summary page; and unspecified other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1576 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting PHProjekt version 5.2.0, specifically when the PHP configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled. This configuration setting, when turned off, removes automatic escaping of special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data, creating an environment where malicious input can persist unchecked. The vulnerability impacts multiple core modules of the PHProjekt application, including Projects, Contacts, Helpdesk, Search, Notes, and Mail summary pages, indicating a widespread flaw in input validation and output sanitization practices. The vulnerability's exploitation requires authentication, meaning that an attacker must first obtain valid user credentials to leverage this weakness, though the impact remains significant given the application's functionality and user base.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications. The flaw manifests when user-supplied data enters the application without proper sanitization or encoding before being rendered in web pages, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The Search module's vulnerability is particularly noteworthy as it only affects Gecko engine driven browsers, suggesting the attack vector may involve browser-specific rendering behaviors or JavaScript execution contexts. The fact that multiple modules are affected indicates a systemic issue in the application's data handling architecture rather than isolated code flaws.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses substantial risks to organizations using PHProjekt 5.2.0, as authenticated attackers can execute arbitrary scripts in victims' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, or privilege escalation. The impact extends beyond simple script injection, as these scripts could redirect users to malicious sites, steal cookies, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The requirement for authentication mitigates some risks but does not eliminate the threat, as compromised accounts provide attackers with legitimate access to sensitive project data and collaboration features. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to confidential project information, disruption of business processes, and potential compliance violations depending on their regulatory environment.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding across all application modules, with particular emphasis on the affected areas identified in the vulnerability description. The immediate solution involves enabling proper HTML escaping of user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages, which can be achieved through the use of appropriate encoding functions or framework-level protections. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution contexts and reduce the impact of successful XSS attacks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security configuration, particularly the disabling of magic_quotes_gpc in production environments where proper input sanitization mechanisms are in place. System administrators should ensure that all PHProjekt installations are updated to patched versions and that regular security assessments are conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's infrastructure. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.008 for scripting and T1566.001 for phishing, emphasizing the need for both technical controls and user awareness training to prevent exploitation.