CVE-2007-3001 in PHP JackKnife
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in PHP JackKnife (PHPJK) allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the sUName parameter to UserArea/Authenticate.php, (2) the sAccountUnq parameter to UserArea/NewAccounts/index.php, or the (3) iCategoryUnq, (4) iDBLoc, (5) iTtlNumItems, (6) iNumPerPage, or (7) sSort parameter to G_Display.php, different vectors than CVE-2005-4239.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-3001 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within PHP JackKnife version 1.0 and earlier, affecting multiple components of the web application framework. This vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated users, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized administrative actions. The affected application is particularly concerning as it involves user authentication mechanisms and account management functionalities, creating multiple attack surfaces for malicious actors to exploit. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and output sanitization within several key PHP scripts that handle user-supplied data.
The technical flaw manifests through multiple distinct attack vectors that bypass proper data sanitization mechanisms. The first vector involves the sUName parameter in UserArea/Authenticate.php, where unvalidated user input allows attackers to inject malicious scripts during the authentication process. The second vector targets the sAccountUnq parameter in UserArea/NewAccounts/index.php, enabling injection attacks during account creation procedures. Additional attack surfaces include the G_Display.php script which accepts multiple parameters including iCategoryUnq, iDBLoc, iTtlNumItems, iNumPerPage, and sSort, all of which fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering in web responses. These vulnerabilities align with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting weaknesses in web applications, and represent a classic example of insufficient output encoding and input validation failures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, creating potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks within the application environment. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities to steal user sessions, modify account privileges, or even gain administrative access if they can manipulate the authentication flow. The presence of multiple attack vectors increases the exploitability of the system, as different entry points provide redundancy for attackers who may need to bypass certain security controls. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that rely on user authentication and account management features, making it especially dangerous for systems handling sensitive user data or administrative functions. The attack requires no special privileges to exploit, making it accessible to any remote user with access to the vulnerable application.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the affected PHP scripts. The most effective approach involves implementing strict sanitization of all user-supplied parameters before processing or displaying them in web responses, utilizing functions such as htmlspecialchars() for HTML output encoding. Organizations should implement comprehensive parameter validation routines that reject or sanitize any input containing potentially malicious script tags or special characters. Additionally, the application should adopt a principle of least privilege for user authentication processes and implement proper session management controls. Security measures should include regular input validation testing, web application firewalls, and comprehensive code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The remediation process should follow established security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines, ensuring that all input handling mechanisms properly address the CWE-79 classification of cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that the implemented mitigations effectively prevent exploitation of these specific attack vectors.