CVE-2007-3501 in DirectAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in CMD_USER_STATS in DirectAdmin 1.30.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the domain parameter, a different vector than CVE-2007-1508.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3501 represents a cross-site scripting flaw located within the CMD_USER_STATS functionality of DirectAdmin version 1.30.1 and earlier installations. This security weakness specifically affects the handling of the domain parameter, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability operates as a classic XSS attack vector, where malicious input is not properly sanitized or validated before being processed and rendered back to users. Unlike CVE-2007-1508 which targeted a different attack surface, this particular flaw focuses on the user statistics command interface, making it distinct in both attack methodology and potential impact scope.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the DirectAdmin web application. When the domain parameter is submitted to the CMD_USER_STATS endpoint, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web responses. This allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute within the browser context of authenticated users who access the affected functionality. The flaw demonstrates a clear violation of secure coding principles where user input directly influences the application's output without proper sanitization mechanisms. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-3501 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to potentially escalate privileges and access sensitive user information. An attacker could craft malicious domain parameters that, when viewed by administrators or other users, would execute scripts to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform unauthorized actions within the DirectAdmin interface. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where multiple users share the same DirectAdmin instance, as successful exploitation could compromise the security of all users who access the affected functionality. This makes it especially dangerous in shared hosting environments or multi-tenant deployments where the attack surface is expanded.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3501 should prioritize immediate patching of DirectAdmin installations to versions that address this specific XSS vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their web applications, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed within the application context. Security monitoring should include regular scanning for similar XSS vulnerabilities across all web applications, as this flaw demonstrates the importance of consistent security testing and validation practices. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability falls under the T1059.007 technique category for Scripting, as it enables execution of malicious scripts within user browsers, potentially leading to further compromise through techniques such as credential theft or session hijacking. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns targeting this specific vulnerability vector.