CVE-2007-3885 in husrevforum
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in philboard_search.asp in husrevforum 1.0.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the searchterms parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2018
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists in the husrevforum 1.0.1 web application within the philboard_search.asp component where the searchterms parameter fails to properly validate or sanitize user input. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code directly into the search functionality, creating a persistent XSS vector that can be exploited by victims who view the affected search results. The vulnerability stems from the application's inadequate input filtering mechanisms that permit potentially dangerous characters and script tags to pass through the validation process and be executed within the victim's browser context. This represents a classic reflected XSS vulnerability where user-supplied data is immediately processed and returned without proper sanitization, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered simply by visiting a malicious search result page.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The attack vector operates through the web application's search functionality where the searchterms parameter becomes the injection point for malicious payloads. When an attacker crafts a specially formatted search query containing script tags or malicious javascript code, the application processes this input without adequate validation, storing or displaying the malicious content in the search results page. The vulnerability's impact is significant as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of the victim's browser session, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which describes social engineering via malicious web content, specifically targeting user browsers through web-based attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks including session manipulation, data exfiltration, and persistent browser-based malware deployment. Attackers can craft payloads that steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even inject malicious content that persists across multiple user sessions. The vulnerability's exploitation is relatively straightforward requiring only basic knowledge of web application security concepts and the ability to craft malicious search terms that bypass input validation. Organizations using husrevforum 1.0.1 are particularly at risk as this vulnerability affects the core search functionality that users frequently interact with, making it a high-value target for attackers seeking to compromise user sessions or spread malicious content across the forum platform.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's search functionality. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user input through proper encoding before processing or displaying search results, ensuring that potentially dangerous characters are neutralized or removed. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded within the application. The application should also implement proper parameter validation to reject or sanitize any input containing script tags, javascript protocols, or other potentially malicious constructs. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses throughout the application, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization in preventing cross-site scripting attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious search patterns that may indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability.