CVE-2007-3693 in Gobi
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Gobi as of 20070711, built on Helma, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the q parameter to the search function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3693 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Gobi application framework, which was built using the Helma platform. This security weakness specifically manifests in the search functionality of the application where user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered back to the browser. The vulnerability affects versions of Gobi released prior to 20070711, indicating a relatively early exposure in the application's lifecycle that remained unpatched for an extended period.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the q parameter within the search function. When attackers submit malicious script code through this parameter, the application fails to properly encode or escape the input before displaying it in the user interface. This allows malicious payloads to execute within the context of other users' browsers, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, where improper validation of input allows attackers to inject executable code into web pages viewed by other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates a persistent security risk for all users interacting with the search functionality. An attacker could craft malicious search queries that would execute whenever other users view search results, potentially leading to widespread compromise of user sessions and data exposure. This type of vulnerability particularly affects web applications that rely heavily on user-generated content or search features, as demonstrated by the Helma-based Gobi platform which likely processed numerous user inputs through its search interface. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which describes the use of malicious input to gain access to user sessions and sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user input through proper encoding before rendering it in web pages, specifically using context-appropriate encoding such as HTML entity encoding for web page content. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed. Regular security assessments and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in legacy applications, particularly those built on older frameworks like Helma that may contain unpatched security flaws. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns targeting search functions and other user input points.