CVE-2007-3540 in rwAuction Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in search.asp in rwAuction Pro 5.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) search, (2) show, (3) searchtype, (4) catid, and (5) searchtxt parameters, a different version and vectors than CVE-2005-4060.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-3540 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness found in the rwAuction Pro 5.0 web application's search.asp component. This flaw allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions. The vulnerability specifically affects multiple parameter inputs including search, show, searchtype, catid, and searchtxt, indicating a widespread issue within the application's input handling mechanisms. Unlike CVE-2005-4060 which targeted different vectors, this vulnerability demonstrates how similar application components can contain distinct yet equally dangerous XSS flaws. The affected parameters suggest that the application fails to properly sanitize or validate user input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages, creating multiple attack surfaces for malicious actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when user-supplied data enters the application through the specified parameters and is subsequently rendered without adequate output encoding or validation. When a victim visits a maliciously crafted URL containing injected script code, the browser executes this code within the legitimate application context, potentially stealing session cookies, modifying page content, or redirecting users to malicious sites. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which focuses on manipulation of web applications. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection as it can be leveraged to perform more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft, privilege escalation, or even complete session takeover. The fact that multiple parameters are affected indicates that the application's input sanitization is not implemented consistently across all user input fields, suggesting either poor coding practices or inadequate security testing during development.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for any organization using rwAuction Pro 5.0, as it creates an attack vector that can be exploited by anyone with access to the application's search functionality. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that, when clicked by unsuspecting users, execute arbitrary code within their browser context. This poses a serious risk to user data, application integrity, and overall system security. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple parameter inputs suggests that the application's security model is fundamentally flawed in its approach to user input handling. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to sensitive auction data, user account compromise, or potential data breaches if attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability. The risk is particularly concerning given that auction platforms often contain sensitive user information including personal details, bidding histories, and financial data, making the exploitation of such vulnerabilities especially dangerous.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address the root cause of inadequate input validation and output encoding. The primary remediation involves implementing comprehensive input sanitization across all affected parameters, ensuring that user-supplied data is properly validated and encoded before being processed or displayed. Organizations should implement proper output encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding for all dynamic content generation, particularly when incorporating user input into web pages. Security patches or code modifications should be applied immediately to sanitize all input parameters including search, show, searchtype, catid, and searchtxt in the search.asp component. Additionally, implementing a Content Security Policy (CSP) can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed. Regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The implementation of secure coding practices and mandatory input validation should be enforced throughout the development lifecycle to prevent similar issues from arising in future versions of the application, aligning with industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.