CVE-2007-1926 in DirectAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in JBMC Software DirectAdmin before 1.293 does not properly display log files, which allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) http or (2) ftp requests logged in /var/log/directadmin/security.log; (3) allows context-dependent attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML into /var/log/messages via a PHP script that invokes /usr/bin/logger; (4) allows local users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML into /var/log/messages by invoking /usr/bin/logger at the command line; and allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via remote requests logged in the (5) /var/log/exim/rejectlog, (6) /var/log/exim/mainlog, (7) /var/log/proftpd/auth.log, (8) /var/log/httpd/error_log, (9) /var/log/httpd/access_log, (10) /var/log/directadmin/error.log, and (11) /var/log/directadmin/security.log files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1926 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within JBMC Software DirectAdmin version 1.293 and earlier, demonstrating a fundamental failure in input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. This vulnerability exists due to insufficient validation of user-supplied data within log file processing functions, where the application fails to properly escape or encode special characters before displaying log contents in web interfaces. The flaw specifically affects the rendering of log files that contain user-generated content, creating multiple attack vectors through various system logging mechanisms that are commonly used in web hosting environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of log file contents when these files are displayed within the web interface. When authenticated users make HTTP or FTP requests that get logged to various system log files, the DirectAdmin interface fails to sanitize these entries before rendering them for display. This creates a classic XSS condition where malicious scripts can be injected through legitimate user activity that gets logged and subsequently displayed without proper HTML encoding. The vulnerability extends beyond simple web interface rendering to include system-level logging mechanisms that aggregate user activity from multiple sources including PHP applications, command-line utilities, and various service loggers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides multiple pathways for attackers to execute malicious code within the context of authenticated users' browsers. Remote authenticated users can leverage this flaw to inject scripts that could steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of victims. The attack surface is particularly broad as it encompasses not just HTTP and FTP activities but also includes system-level logging from exim mail server, proftpd, apache httpd, and other services. This means that even users who are not directly interacting with the web interface could be affected through various system logging mechanisms that capture and display user-generated content.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes Cross-site Scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of insecure output encoding where user-controllable data is directly rendered without proper sanitization. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566 - Phishing and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can use it to deliver malicious payloads and execute code in user browsers. The attack requires minimal privileges since it targets authenticated users, making it particularly dangerous in shared hosting environments where multiple users have access to the same system. The persistence of this vulnerability across multiple log files indicates a systemic design flaw in the application's logging display functionality rather than isolated incidents.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's logging and display functions. All user-supplied data that appears in log file displays must be properly escaped using context-appropriate encoding methods before rendering in web interfaces. System administrators should consider implementing log file rotation with proper access controls, limiting the exposure of sensitive information in log files, and ensuring that all log file contents are sanitized before any display operations. Additionally, upgrading to DirectAdmin version 1.293 or later resolves the vulnerability by implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding measures. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious log file entries that might indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability.