CVE-2007-3596 in phpVideoPro
Summary
by MITRE
inc/vul_check.inc in phpVideoPro before 0.8.8 permits non-alphanumeric characters in the sess_id parameter, which has unknown impact and remote attack vectors, probably cross-site scripting (XSS).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3596 resides within the phpVideoPro application's session management mechanism, specifically in the inc/vul_check.inc file. This flaw represents a classic input validation issue that occurs during session identifier processing, where the application fails to properly sanitize the sess_id parameter before using it in subsequent operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows non-alphanumeric characters to pass through the validation checks, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors. The affected version range includes phpVideoPro versions prior to 0.8.8, indicating this was a known issue that required patching to maintain application security.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and specifically relates to the broader category of cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. When non-alphanumeric characters are permitted in session identifiers, attackers can potentially manipulate these values to inject malicious code or manipulate session states. The sess_id parameter serves as a critical component in maintaining user sessions, and its improper handling creates opportunities for attackers to exploit the session management system. The vulnerability's classification as potentially enabling XSS attacks suggests that the malicious input could be executed in the context of a user's browser session, allowing for unauthorized actions or data theft.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session manipulation, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the application's authentication and authorization mechanisms. Attackers could potentially leverage this weakness to perform session hijacking, where they intercept or predict session identifiers to impersonate legitimate users. The unknown impact and attack vectors mentioned in the description indicate that the full scope of potential exploitation methods was not fully understood at the time of disclosure, which is typical for vulnerabilities in legacy systems where comprehensive analysis may be limited. This uncertainty makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as defenders cannot fully predict how attackers might exploit the weakness in different contexts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing strict input validation for session identifiers, ensuring that only alphanumeric characters are accepted in the sess_id parameter. The fix should involve comprehensive sanitization routines that strip or reject any non-alphanumeric characters before processing session data. Additionally, developers should implement proper session management practices including secure session token generation, regular session regeneration, and appropriate session timeout mechanisms. The solution should align with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and other industry standards for session management. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation layers to provide additional protection against similar vulnerabilities in other components of their web applications. The remediation process must include thorough testing to ensure that session identifiers are properly validated across all application modules that handle user authentication and session state management.