CVE-2007-3249 in Letterman Subscriber
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in mod_lettermansubscribe.php in the Letterman Subscriber (mod_letterman) before 1.2.5 module for Joomla! allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the Itemid parameter.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3249 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Joomla installations exposed to potential exploitation. The flaw emerged from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the module's processing logic, creating an avenue for attackers to inject malicious scripts that would execute when legitimate users accessed affected pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurred through manipulation of the Itemid parameter, which serves as a Joomla! internal identifier for menu items and components. When the mod_lettermansubscribe.php script processed this parameter without proper sanitization, it failed to escape or validate the input before rendering it in the web response. This oversight created a persistent cross-site scripting vector where attackers could craft malicious URLs containing script payloads within the Itemid parameter. Upon successful exploitation, the injected scripts would execute in the browser context of any user who clicked on the malicious link, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further malicious activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting weaknesses in web applications, and demonstrates how improper input handling can create dangerous execution paths for attacker-controlled code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extended beyond simple script injection, as it provided attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the Joomla's user management system, allowing attackers to potentially escalate privileges and gain broader system access. Security professionals noted that the attack surface was significant since the module was commonly installed across numerous Joomla
installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3249 centered on immediate patching of the affected module to version 1.2.5 or later, which included proper input validation and output sanitization measures. Organizations were advised to conduct comprehensive security assessments of their Joomla! installations to identify all instances of the vulnerable module and ensure complete remediation. Additional protective measures included implementing content security policies to limit script execution, deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious parameter injection attempts, and establishing regular security auditing procedures to identify similar vulnerabilities. The incident highlighted the importance of input validation across all web application components and demonstrated how seemingly minor oversight in parameter handling could create significant security risks. Security practitioners emphasized the need for robust security testing procedures including dynamic application security testing and manual code reviews to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future software releases.