CVE-2007-3542 in Pluxml
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in admin/auth.php in Pluxml 0.3.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the msg parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3542 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Pluxml content management system version 0.3.1. This particular weakness exists in the administrative authentication component at admin/auth.php, where user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered back to the browser. The vulnerability specifically affects the msg parameter which is processed without adequate security controls, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers.
This XSS vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which classifies it as a failure to sanitize user input, specifically targeting the web application's authentication interface. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious payloads through the msg parameter, potentially allowing them to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it targets the administrative authentication page, which typically requires elevated privileges and contains sensitive functionality that could be exploited to compromise the entire system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it provides attackers with a foothold within the administrative interface of the CMS. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to modify content, create new administrator accounts, access sensitive data, or even execute arbitrary code on the server if additional vulnerabilities exist. The remote nature of the attack means that no local access is required, making it particularly dangerous for systems that are publicly accessible. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers script injection attacks, and specifically targets the credential access and privilege escalation phases of the attack lifecycle.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3542 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Pluxml application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input, particularly parameters used in authentication flows, and ensuring that any output rendered to the browser properly escapes special characters to prevent script execution. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of inline scripts and consider upgrading to a patched version of Pluxml if available. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense in depth against such attacks, though they should not be considered a substitute for proper application-level security controls. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating and sanitizing all user inputs in web applications, particularly within administrative interfaces where the potential impact of exploitation is significantly amplified.