CVE-2007-3366 in cPanel
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Simple CGI Wrapper (scgiwrap) in cPanel before 10.9.1, and 11.x before 11.4.19-R14378, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the URI. 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 • 09/04/2018
The CVE-2007-3366 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Simple CGI Wrapper component of cPanel software versions prior to 10.9.1 and 11.x versions before 11.4.19-R14378. This vulnerability exists in the way the scgiwrap module processes and handles URI parameters, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected web applications. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the CGI wrapper functionality that is commonly used to execute CGI scripts on web servers managed through cPanel interfaces.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when user-supplied URI data is directly incorporated into web page responses without proper sanitization or encoding. Attackers can craft malicious URIs containing script tags or other HTML elements that get executed when legitimate users browse to affected pages. This flaw specifically affects the scgiwrap module which serves as a bridge between web server requests and CGI script execution, making it a prime target for exploitation in web application attacks. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize input data before incorporating it into web pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user data, redirect victims to malicious sites, or deface web applications. Since cPanel systems are widely deployed across hosting environments and often manage multiple client accounts, the potential scope of exploitation is significant. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to compromise user sessions, access administrative functions, or spread malicious payloads across multiple websites hosted on the same server. The vulnerability's presence in the core CGI handling mechanism means that any web application relying on scgiwrap for script execution could be affected, regardless of the specific application logic.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected cPanel installations to versions 10.9.1 or 11.4.19-R14378 and later, which contain the necessary input sanitization fixes. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers including web application firewalls, proxy servers, and application-level defenses. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that CGI scripts operate with minimal required permissions and that all user inputs are properly escaped before being rendered in web contexts. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious URI patterns and anomalous script execution behaviors, as outlined in the attack patterns documented under the MITRE ATT&CK framework for web application exploitation techniques. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning of cPanel installations are essential to maintain protection against similar flaws in the broader web application ecosystem.