CVE-2007-3299 in AWFFull
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in AWFFull before 3.7.4, when AllSearchStr (aka the All Search Terms report) is enabled, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a search string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2018
The CVE-2007-3299 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the AWFFull web application software suite, specifically affecting versions prior to 3.7.4. This vulnerability manifests when the AllSearchStr feature, also known as the All Search Terms report, is enabled within the application's configuration. The flaw arises from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before rendering it in web responses. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious search queries containing embedded script tags or other HTML content that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers who view the search results.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in web applications where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without proper validation or escaping. This particular implementation vulnerability occurs within the search functionality of AWFFull, where the application processes user input through the AllSearchStr reporting mechanism. When enabled, this feature aggregates and displays search terms from user queries, creating an ideal environment for XSS exploitation since the application does not adequately sanitize the input before displaying it in HTML context. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS attack vector since the malicious payload is reflected back to users through the application's search result display functionality.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant security risks to organizations utilizing AWFFull software, particularly those with multiple concurrent users or public-facing search interfaces. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious scripts in victims' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The attack requires minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by threat actors with varying skill levels. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to modify application behavior, access sensitive user data, or establish persistent footholds within the affected systems. The AllSearchStr feature typically aggregates user behavior data, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise user sessions or gather intelligence about system usage patterns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3299 should prioritize immediate patching of affected AWFFull installations to version 3.7.4 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input sanitization measures, including HTML encoding of all user-supplied data before display, and employ Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities. The principle of least privilege should be applied to the AllSearchStr feature, disabling it when not required for business operations. Additionally, regular security assessments of web applications should include thorough testing of input validation mechanisms, particularly in search and reporting functionalities. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous search patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing proper security testing procedures throughout the software development lifecycle, as recommended by the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566, which encompasses social engineering techniques that leverage web-based attacks to compromise systems, emphasizing the need for layered defensive measures beyond simple patch management.