CVE-2007-1871 in chcounter
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in chcounter 3.1.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the login_name parameter to /stats/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1871 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the chcounter 3.1.3 web application statistics system. This vulnerability specifically affects the login_name parameter processed through the /stats/ endpoint, creating a persistent security risk for web applications that utilize this counter software. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code into the application's response, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting web applications through injection flaws.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize or encode user input received through the login_name parameter. When a user submits data containing malicious script tags or HTML elements through this parameter, the application processes and reflects this input without adequate validation or output encoding. This allows attackers to craft malicious URLs or forms that, when executed by unsuspecting users, can execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the victim's browser context. The vulnerability exists because the application does not implement proper input validation or output encoding mechanisms to prevent the execution of unintended code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, redirect users to malicious sites, or even perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. When users navigate to the vulnerable page or interact with the application's functionality, their browsers execute the injected scripts, potentially compromising their session cookies, personal data, or system resources. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that rely on chcounter for visitor statistics and user authentication tracking, making it a significant concern for websites that collect and display user login information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1871 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. Developers must ensure that all user-supplied input, particularly parameters like login_name, undergo rigorous sanitization before being processed or displayed. The implementation of proper HTML entity encoding for all dynamic content helps prevent script execution in browser contexts. Additionally, the application should employ a Content Security Policy to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider upgrading to newer versions of chcounter that address this vulnerability or implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns. The remediation process should align with industry best practices for secure coding and follow the principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten project to prevent injection vulnerabilities and maintain application security integrity.