CVE-2007-3156 in Webmin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in pam_login.cgi in Webmin before 1.350 and Usermin before 1.280 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) cid, (2) message, or (3) question parameter. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3156 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting Webmin and Usermin software versions prior to 1.350 and 1.280 respectively. This flaw resides within the pam_login.cgi component which serves as a crucial authentication interface for these web-based system management tools. The vulnerability manifests through three specific parameter injection points including cid, message, and question parameters, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can exploit any of these vectors to execute malicious scripts within victim browsers. The nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security that allows attackers to inject malicious code into web pages viewed by other users. This classification aligns with the ATT&CK framework's T1059.008 technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically focusing on the execution of malicious scripts through web-based interfaces.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the pam_login.cgi script. When user-supplied parameters are directly incorporated into web page output without proper encoding or filtering, attackers can inject malicious HTML or JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The cid parameter typically handles session identifiers or connection IDs, the message parameter processes status or error messages, and the question parameter manages authentication challenge questions. Each of these parameters receives user input that flows directly into the web response without appropriate security measures. This creates an environment where an attacker can craft malicious payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable application, execute in the browser context of authenticated users. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no special privileges beyond basic network access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where these tools are accessible to unauthenticated users.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-3156 extends far beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within compromised systems. Successful exploitation can lead to session hijacking, where attackers steal user authentication tokens and impersonate legitimate users to gain unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability also enables data exfiltration attacks where sensitive information can be captured from user sessions, including administrative credentials, system configurations, and personal data. Additionally, attackers can use this vulnerability to establish persistent access through the injection of malicious scripts that maintain presence across user sessions. The implications are particularly severe for system administrators who rely on Webmin and Usermin for remote system management, as these tools often provide privileged access to critical system functions. According to ATT&CK framework's T1566.001 technique for Phishing, this vulnerability can be leveraged to craft convincing phishing attacks that appear legitimate to users, further increasing the attack surface and potential damage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3156 require immediate patching of affected software versions to the latest secure releases that include proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures that properly encode all user-supplied data before incorporating it into web responses, particularly following OWASP's recommendations for XSS prevention. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of these management interfaces to trusted networks only. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications and systems. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script injection attacks, though this should not replace proper input validation. The vulnerability's age and widespread nature mean that organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls to detect and block exploitation attempts, while maintaining detailed logging and monitoring of authentication-related activities to quickly identify potential compromise attempts.