CVE-2007-3417 in WebAPP
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in cgi-bin/cgi-lib/search.pl in web-app.org WebAPP before 0.9.9.7 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a search string, which is not sanitized when an HREF attribute is printed by the (1) process_search or (2) show_recent_searches function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3417 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the web-app.org WebAPP software version 0.9.9.6 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the cgi-bin/cgi-lib/search.pl script and demonstrates a classic failure in input validation and output sanitization that has been documented in various security frameworks including CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. The flaw occurs when user-supplied search strings are processed through the application's search functionality without proper sanitization before being rendered in HTML contexts.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through two primary functions within the search.pl script: process_search and show_recent_searches. When attackers submit malicious search queries containing embedded javascript or html code, the application fails to sanitize these inputs before incorporating them into HREF attributes within the generated HTML output. This oversight creates a direct pathway for malicious code execution in the context of victims' browsers who view the search results or recent searches page. The vulnerability specifically targets the HREF attribute handling, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to redirect users to malicious sites or execute arbitrary code within the victim's browser session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, or redirect victims to phishing sites that appear legitimate. The vulnerability affects all users who interact with the search functionality of the affected web application, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users access the system. The lack of proper input validation creates a persistent threat vector that remains active until the software is updated or patched, as the vulnerability exists in the core search processing logic rather than being a temporary condition.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input sanitization and output encoding practices. The most effective immediate solution involves modifying the search.pl script to sanitize all user inputs before they are processed and rendered in HTML contexts. This approach aligns with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and follows the principle of least privilege in input handling. Organizations should also implement proper HTML encoding for all dynamic content, particularly attributes like HREF, to prevent malicious scripts from executing. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper security controls in web applications and highlights the need for continuous monitoring and updating of security measures to address evolving threats in the cybersecurity landscape.