CVE-2007-3276 in Siteatschool
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in Site@School (S@S) 2.4.10 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the q parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2017
The cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3276 affects Site@School version 2.4.10, a web-based school management system that has been widely deployed in educational institutions. This vulnerability resides within the index.php file and represents a classic client-side attack vector that compromises the security of web applications. The flaw specifically manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the q parameter, creating an opening for malicious actors to execute unauthorized scripts within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability's classification as a reflected XSS attack means that malicious code is injected into the application's response and executed by the victim's browser, rather than being stored on the server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the Site@School application's parameter handling mechanism. When users submit queries through the q parameter, the system does not adequately filter or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This failure in input sanitization creates a direct pathway for attackers to inject malicious payloads that are then executed in the browser context of unsuspecting users. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges or authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users access the same system. According to CWE guidelines, this represents a CWE-79: Cross-site Scripting vulnerability, which is categorized as a weakness in the input validation and output encoding phases of software development.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities within the compromised environment. An attacker could inject scripts to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, deface the application interface, or even execute more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft or privilege escalation within the application's context. The reflected nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the attack payload must be delivered through a specially crafted URL that includes the malicious script, which can be distributed via phishing emails, social engineering, or compromised links in forums and discussion boards. The vulnerability affects all users of the Site@School system who are tricked into clicking the malicious link, potentially compromising the entire user base of the application. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with T1059.007: Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript and T1566.001: Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, demonstrating how initial access through social engineering can lead to code execution within the target environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from system administrators and security teams responsible for maintaining the SiteSchool installation. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing or displaying it within the application. The system should escape special characters such as angle brackets, quotes, and script tags in all user inputs, particularly those passed through the q parameter. Additionally, implementing a Content Security Policy (CSP) header can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded and executed within the application. Organizations should also consider upgrading to a patched version of SiteSchool if available, as this vulnerability was likely addressed in subsequent releases. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar input validation flaws in other application components, and comprehensive user education regarding phishing and suspicious link behavior should be implemented to reduce the risk of successful exploitation attempts.