CVE-2007-2901 in Dokeos
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Dokeos 1.8.0 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the img parameter to main/inc/lib/fckeditor/editor/plugins/ImageManager/editor.php and other unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2901 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Dokeos learning management systems version 1.8.0 and earlier. This vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, commonly known as cross-site scripting. The flaw manifests in the image manager component of the FCKeditor plugin, where the img parameter in the main/inc/lib/fckeditor/editor/plugins/ImageManager/editor.php file fails to properly sanitize user input before rendering it within web pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Dokeos platform. Attackers can craft malicious payloads containing javascript code or html tags and inject them through the img parameter, which then gets executed in the context of other users' browsers when they access pages containing the compromised content. This vector of attack operates through the principle of reflected cross-site scripting where the malicious script is reflected off the web server and executed in the victim's browser without being stored on the server. The vulnerability affects not only the specific ImageManager component but also extends to other unspecified vectors within the broader Dokeos framework, indicating a systemic issue in input handling across multiple modules.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for educational institutions using Dokeos platforms, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code in users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and the redirection of users to malicious websites. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to gain persistent access to user accounts, manipulate course content, or deploy malware through the compromised user sessions. The attack requires minimal privileges as it operates remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for online learning environments where numerous users interact with the system daily. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire platform, as users may unknowingly execute malicious code when viewing content that contains the injected scripts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2901 should prioritize immediate patching of the Dokeos platform to version 1.8.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the XSS vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their web applications, particularly focusing on the CWE-79 remediation techniques such as HTML escaping, context-specific encoding, and proper sanitization of all user-supplied data. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. Security monitoring should include regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to identify similar issues across the entire application stack. The remediation process should also involve user education regarding the dangers of clicking on suspicious links or content, as well as implementing proper access controls and least privilege principles to minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust security practices throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent such persistent threats from compromising web applications.